Offensive begins to clear militants from Iraqi town of Fallujah

CAMP TARIQ, Iraq — Elite Iraqi special forces began their push Monday into Fallujah, expecting to encounter the stiffest resistance yet in the campaign to retake territory from the Islamic State group.

The Iraqi troops were leading the assault on Fallujah, slowly moving up from the southern edge in a column of armored Humvees.

Shiite militia forces under the government umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the federal police led operations that have taken back 80 percent of the territory around Fallujah, according to Iraqi Maj. Dhia Thamir.

The 500-700 militant fighters holed up in Fallujah are expected to be some of the group’s best-trained, a special forces commander at the scene said.

In past operations, Iraq’s Shiite militia forces have been accused of committing abuses against civilians in majority Sunni towns and cities.