Iraqi forces advance into the urban landscape of Fallujah, currently under ISIS control

Fallujah, a city of significant historical and cultural importance to Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority, has been the focus of a week-long operation to dislodge the estimated 1,000 jihadists holed up there. The city, located 50 kilometers west of Baghdad, has been a jihadist bastion for some time.

The operation, led by the Iraqi army, the Anbar provincial police, and the elite counter-terrorism service (CTS), began on May 30. Iraqi forces entered Fallujah from three directions before dawn, offering resistance from Daesh (IS) has been met with determination. Despite losing territory, ISIS has been reverting to old tactics of bombings against civilians and commando raids as their "caliphate" unravels.

The city's strategic location and its historical significance make it a spark for rebellion in the past. Fallujah is one of only two major urban centers in Iraq still held by ISIS, the other being Mosul. As the fighting intensifies, bigger waves of displacement are expected, raising concerns about the potential use of civilians as human shields.

As of now, ISIS controls around 14% of the national territory, down from 40% in 2014. The organization has appeared weakened in recent months and has been losing territory consistently over the past year. This military intervention in Fallujah was supported primarily by the U.S. government and its coalition partners, providing personnel, weapons, air support, logistics, and intelligence resources.

The situation is particularly dire for those still trapped inside Fallujah. An estimated 50,000 civilians are still trapped, with only a few hundred families managing to flee before the assault on the city. Ahmad Sabih, 40, reached an NRC-run camp early on Sunday, May 29, after deciding to risk everything to save his children.

Civilians are trickling out of Amriyat al-Fallujah, south of the jihadist bastion, after walking through the countryside for hours at night to avoid ISIS surveillance. However, resources in the camps are strained, and the Norwegian Refugee Council's Iraq director, Nasr Muflahi, has stated that they may not be able to provide enough drinking water for the expected influx of displaced people.

The battle for Fallujah is far from over, and the outcome remains uncertain. The operation to retake the city is a critical step in the ongoing fight against ISIS, and the international community will be closely watching its progress.