About 2,500 IS militants killed in Fallujah

The announcements came just days after the government had declared the liberation of Fallujah, the last bastion of the Islamic State group in the sprawling western Anbar province. With aerial support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi special forces took control of the neighborhoods of al-Shurta and al-Jughaifi, special forces’ Brig. Gen. Haider al-Obeidi told The Associated Press.

He said Iraqi military engineers were clearing the streets and buildings of left-over bombs. Teaming up with paramilitary troops and backed by the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government forces launched the large-scale Fallujah operation in late May. On Friday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory after special forces entered the city center, capturing government buildings and the central hospital.

Then, Iraqi commanders said 80 percent of the city was under their control, though clashes were still underway in its northern parts.

In an interview with the local al-Sumaria TV late on Monday, the counterterrorism forces’ chief in the Fallujah operation, Lt. General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, said about of 2,500 IS fighters have been killed in the offensive.