Iraq says its forces have entered Fallujah, held by ISIS since 2014

Iraqi government forces are keeping up the pressure on ISIL – beginning a major operation on Monday to storm the militant stronghold of Falluja, reports say.

According to a report by AFP quoting army commanders, Iraqi forces have entered the city, which was one of the first in Iraq to fall to the militant group in 2014.

Reuters quotes a military officer as saying the Iraqi army has begun an operation on Monday to storm Falluja, and that a military unit was trying to advance in the city, which lies some 50 kilometres from Baghdad.

Explosions and gunfire could be heard in Falluja’s southern Naimiya district.

Iraqi government began a major push to recapture the city on May 23.