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| Islamic State group hits back as Iraqi army moves into Falluja | Islamic State group hits back as Iraqi army moves into Falluja |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Militants from the so-called Islamic State have launched a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja. | Militants from the so-called Islamic State have launched a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja. |
| A day after troops advanced through the southern suburb of Nuaimiya, scores of IS fighters attacked them, army officers told news agencies. | A day after troops advanced through the southern suburb of Nuaimiya, scores of IS fighters attacked them, army officers told news agencies. |
| The army defeated the attackers but suffered casualties, the sources said. | The army defeated the attackers but suffered casualties, the sources said. |
| Aid workers are increasingly concerned for the safety of 50,000 civilians said to be trapped in Falluja. | Aid workers are increasingly concerned for the safety of 50,000 civilians said to be trapped in Falluja. |
| Reports speak of people starving to death and of being killed for refusing to fight for IS. | Reports speak of people starving to death and of being killed for refusing to fight for IS. |
| Read more: Testimony from inside Falluja | |
| The Iraqi military has urged those remaining to either leave the city or stay indoors but IS is preventing civilians from fleeing. | The Iraqi military has urged those remaining to either leave the city or stay indoors but IS is preventing civilians from fleeing. |
| Falluja fell to IS in January 2014, a key moment in the Sunni Muslim jihadist group's rise that saw it declare a caliphate across swathes of Iraq and Syria. | Falluja fell to IS in January 2014, a key moment in the Sunni Muslim jihadist group's rise that saw it declare a caliphate across swathes of Iraq and Syria. |
| It is one of two major cities held by IS in Iraq - the other being Mosul. | It is one of two major cities held by IS in Iraq - the other being Mosul. |
| Lt Gen Abdelwahab al-Saadi, the overall commander of the Falluja operation, told AFP news agency around 100 IS fighters had taken part in the attack and 75 of them had been killed. | Lt Gen Abdelwahab al-Saadi, the overall commander of the Falluja operation, told AFP news agency around 100 IS fighters had taken part in the attack and 75 of them had been killed. |
| "They came at us heavily armed but did not use car bombs or suicide bombers," he said. | "They came at us heavily armed but did not use car bombs or suicide bombers," he said. |
| But two officers with special forces in the area told the Associated Press news agency that the jihadists had sent out six explosives-laden cars, none of which reached their targets. | But two officers with special forces in the area told the Associated Press news agency that the jihadists had sent out six explosives-laden cars, none of which reached their targets. |
| IS also used snipers and tunnels in the attack, they added, speaking on condition of anonymity. | IS also used snipers and tunnels in the attack, they added, speaking on condition of anonymity. |
| Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, which helps families displaced from the city, warned on Tuesday that a "human catastrophe" was unfolding in Falluja. | Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, which helps families displaced from the city, warned on Tuesday that a "human catastrophe" was unfolding in Falluja. |
| "Families are caught in the crossfire with no safe way out," he said. | "Families are caught in the crossfire with no safe way out," he said. |
| "Warring parties must guarantee civilians safe exit now, before it's too late and more lives are lost." | "Warring parties must guarantee civilians safe exit now, before it's too late and more lives are lost." |
| The situation of civilians in the city is dire, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Iraq. | The situation of civilians in the city is dire, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Iraq. |
| They have lived through a nine-month siege with little food or medicine and now they face mortal danger if there is an all-out assault on the city centre, our correspondent says. | They have lived through a nine-month siege with little food or medicine and now they face mortal danger if there is an all-out assault on the city centre, our correspondent says. |
| The IS fighters are being widely accused of using them as human shields, he adds. | The IS fighters are being widely accused of using them as human shields, he adds. |
| Falluja - key facts: | Falluja - key facts: |
| Are you in Falluja? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in Falluja? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |