Raw: Iraq Claims Advances in IS Fallujah Fight

(24 May 2016) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4036819 Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed "big successes" on Monday by government troops after launching an offensive to retake Fallujah from Islamic State group militants. The operation promises to be one of the toughest challenges yet for the country's struggling security forces. AP filmed Iraqi troops firing at targets and smoke billowing in the distance on Monday. Backed by the US-led coalition airstrikes and paramilitary troops, Iraqi government forces launched the long-awaited military offensive late Sunday. The city, located about 40 miles (65 kilometres) west of Baghdad, has been under the militants' control since January 2014. Al-Abadi has vowed to "tear up the black banners of strangers who usurped this city" and hoist the Iraqi flag. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...