Fierce battle against ISIS intensifies as Iraqi forces gain ground just 3km from city centre
Elite counter terrorism group vows to make breakthrough within days and claim to have killed 500 militants
IRAQI forces are gaining ground in their battle to re-take the city of Fallujah from terror group ISIS.
The elite counter terrorism group leading the fight claim they are just days away from reaching the city centre.
The battle has been raging since the Fallujah offensive was launched on May 23, and commanders says they have made significant strides in recent days.
Speaking to AFP, Lieutenant General Abdelwahab al-Saadi said: "We'll be there, in the very centre, in days. Days, not weeks."
He added that they are currently just three kilometres from the centre of the city.
Al-Saadi boasted a large number of ISIS have already been killed, and believes others will turn and flee.
"More than 500 Daesh [ISIS] members have already been killed since the start of the operation.
"Fallujah is a very symbolic place for Daesh... but the battle is not different from other ones and when they are trapped, they try to run away just like they did before."
After a surge in 2014 when they ran rampant in Iraq and Syria, ISIS is being squeezed from all sides.
The Russian military has helped Syrian troops gain ground in their country, while the US is predominantly aiding the Iraqi forces, with Britain carrying out targeted bombings in both countries.
The Americans have been providing air support in the battle for Fallujah, a city in which US troops fought for successfully in 2004 with more than 90 killed.
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Progress in Fallujah had been delayed with concerns over civilians trapped in the city, potentially being used as human shields by ISIS.
These worries were reinforced this week by UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq Lise Grande, who said: "We have underestimated how many civilians are in Fallujah.
"People who are coming out are giving us the strong impression that we could be talking about maybe 80,000 to 90,000 civilians that are inside."
Yet despite reports ISIS were attempting to shoot those fleeing, reports claim a refugee camp south of Fallujah has taken in 20,000 arrivals over the past three weeks.
Fallujah would be not only a symbolic victory against ISIS but a key strategic one too.
The city is just 30 miles (50km) from Iraqi capital Baghdad, and lies on a major route between the city and neighbouring Syria.