Photo Gallery Taking Back Fallujah
Iraqi forces along with Shiite militias have spent recent weeks battling their way into Fallujah, Iraq against the city's Islamic State occupiers. This week, Iraqi security forces managed to force their way into the city center.
The battle of Fallujah has proven difficult and there are still pockets of resistance in the city. This image from June 14 shows smoke billowing from an IS position in the city. When its forces retreat, IS leaves behind dangerous booby traps designed to kill those who come after them.
People celebrating in Fallujah after Iraqi security forces pushed their way into the center of the city. Across Iraq, Islamic State is being driven out of towns and villages they once held. But sectarian violence could be the result.
Iraqi security forces during the battle for Fallujah. Government troops took back the town of Bashir earlier this month, but have struggled to clear it of all the traps and explosives Islamic State left behind.
Even as Iraqi pro-government forces seem to have the upper hand in the fight against Islamic State (here, they pose with an IS flag in Fallujah), there is concern that Shiite militias who move in behind government troops will take revenge on the Sunni population. Islamic State is largely Sunni.
Tens of thousands of people have fled the fighting in Fallujah. Feeding them and providing shelter has proven challenging. Some estimate that as many as 80,000 people have left Fallujah.
