Fallujah battle 'next' as thousands of Ramadi residents return

Preparations for the liberation of IS-held Fallujah are in their final stages, sources in Anbar province told The New Arab, as residents of Ramadi from which IS were driven out started returning.

"The Anbar province council and security leaders have completed the final touches on [preparations for] the battle of the liberation of Fallujah," said Eid al-Karbouli, member of the council.

"Around 5,000 fighters will take part in the battle," he added, mostly from the regular forces and Sunni Arab tribal fighters.

The forces are ready to begin the battle in coordination with the US-led international coalition, said Karbouli, pointing out that an official announcement would soon be made in a press conference.

However, tribal leader Abdul-Rahman al-Jamili told The New Arab the battle is unlikely to start before the town of Hit is liberated. Another issue is the civilians trapped in the town, which requires careful planning, he added.

"Opening two battles simultaneously in Anbar would hinder progress in both," he said, in reference to Hit and Fallujah.

Around ten thousand families remain trapped in the town in difficult humanitarian conditions, and are being prevented from leaving by Islamic State militants.

Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar province, fell to IS last May. The extremists were driven out in December.

Ramadi residents returning

Meanwhile, displaced families are returning to the western city of Ramadi three months after Iraqi forces backed by US-led airstrikes drove IS out.

The city's mayor, Ibrahim al-Osaj, told AP on Sunday that local authorities are only allowing families to return to areas that have been cleared of mines and other booby traps planted by IS. He says "thousands" have returned, without providing a specific figure.

Iraqi state TV aired a video showing the Head of Sunni Religious Endowments, Sheik Abdul-Latif al-Himaim, leading a convoy of dozens of cars into the city.

Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar province, fell to IS last May. The extremists were driven out in December.

Agencies contributed to this report.