The commander of Iraq's operation to retake Fallujah from ISIS (Islamic State) said Tuesday victory was days away, but progress was slowed by huge numbers of bombs and traps.
"The security forces are advancing towards central Fallujah from the southern side but doing so cautiously, to preserve civilian lives," Lieutenant-General Abdelwahab al-Saadi told AFP.
"In the coming days, we will declare the liberation of Fallujah," said Saadi, overall commander of the operation launched on May 22-23 to retake the extremist bastion west of Baghdad.