Falluja: Iraq PM Haider al-Abadi hails recapture from IS

The Iraqi army has declared final victory in Falluja

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has urged all Iraqis to rejoice, after the recapture of the city of Falluja from Islamic State (IS) fighters.

It came after the army said it had seized the last IS stronghold in the city, 50km (30 miles) west of Baghdad.
Mr Abadi appeared on television outside Falluja's main hospital, waving an Iraqi flag.

He said the security forces would soon raise the flag in Mosul in the north - the biggest Iraqi city held by IS.

"Today our troops liberated Falluja while at the same time our troops are currently fighting in Mosul," he said.
"There is no place for Isis [IS] in Iraq.

We will chase them everywhere. As we promised to raise the flag high in Falluja, we will raise it in Mosul soon with the will of our heroes. I call on Iraqis to celebrate this day."

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IS seized control of Falluja in January 2014. The government launched an operation to retake it in May.
At least 1,800 militants were killed in the operation, the Iraqi army said.