CBS News reports that “the Iraqi government said the long-awaited battle to recapture the city of Fallujah began in the early hours of Monday. Video published online overnight purportedly shows heavy bombardment of the city before the advance of ground troops.”  

“Prime Minister Haider al Abadi made a televised announcement that the operation had begun, vowing that Iraqi forces would ‘tear up the black flags’ of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Fallujah.”  

“Backed up by U.S. and coalition airstrikes, a combination of Iraqi troops, police and Shiite militias made early progress, pushing ISIS militants back out of the farmland surrounding the city and toward Fallujah itself.”