The Iraqi military seized a government building in the heart of Fallujah from Islamic State militants on Friday marking a major step forward in the terror fight, a U.S. military spokesman confirmed.
(FOX)- “The building is roughly in the center of town. The fight to take the building was supported by multiple coalition strikes,” Col. Christopher Garver told Fox News from Baghdad.
As many as 42,000 people have left the area since the military operation against Fallujah began in late May, according to the United Nations. The Iraqi operation to retake Ramadi left that city largely in ruins. The city once was home to nearly half a million people, but the violence forced most of them to flee.
ISIS has held Fallujah longer than any other city. The terror group captured Fallujah in January 2014.
Despite the focus on control of Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, U.S. military officials have said they want the Iraqi forces to continue plans to recapture Mosul, where the majority of ISIS fighters in Iraq are located.