Iraqi forces claim to have driven al-Qaida allies out of Falluja

The Guardian ^ | 4 Jan 2014 | Peter Baumount

[fella]

Iraqi forces claim to have driven al-Qaida allies out of Falluja

Conflicting claims over city's fate after serious fighting between Sunni Islamist militants and government troops

Iraqi police and tribal fighters claimed to have retaken the western city of Falluja from al-Qaida affiliates on Saturday after heavy clashes that left scores of dead there and in the neighbouring city of Ramadi in recent days.

Amid reports of civilians fleeing fighting elsewhere in Anbar and Ninevah provinces, social media in the country described continuing serious violence in western Iraq between Sunni Islamist militants and forces of the country's Shia-dominated government.

Officials and witnesses said the northern and eastern parts of Falluja were still under the control of tribesmen and militants on Saturday despite shelling from government troops, Reuters reported.

[fella]

It appears that the Iraqi government has learned to take a stand.

[AlmaKing]

well, that was quick.

[DannyTN]

That’s good.

[pas]

But these were not core al-qaida though.