ERBIL (Sputnik) — Shiite militia, fighting Daesh in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, has discovered network of the tunnels used by extremists in the suburbs of the city, the al-Hashd al-Shaabi group told RIA Novosti on Monday.
"Tunnels begin out of city [of Fallujah] and go in the direction of the city center. Terrorists used it to move quickly between their positions," the group said.
Extensive tunnel and cave systems built by Da'ish around #Fallujah. Many discovered by #Iraq's forces so far. pic.twitter.com/i1w7K3Ijfa
— Haidar Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) 29 мая 2016 г.
According to the Shiite militia, one of the branched was found near the brickyard used by terrorists as a stronghold.
Last week, Iraqi military and Shiite militia with the support of the international coalition have launched the military operation to liberate the city 40 miles west of Baghdad. On Sunday, according to reports, these forces took control of almost all entrances to Fallujah.
Da'ish use tunnels/caves to avoid airstrikes + to escape after attacks on #Iraq's forces. This one near Mt. Makhoul: pic.twitter.com/nD4ebf346p
— Haidar Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) 30 мая 2016 г.
Since 2014, Iraqi city of Fallujah has been controlled by the Islamic State, a terror group, outlawed in Russia. Before the war, the city was one of the country's biggest with population of 350,000 people.
