US-led coalition: Shia forces will not enter Fallujah

The US-led international coalition against Daesh said yesterday that 4,000 fighters from Sunni tribes, which are allied to the Iraqi government, will take part in the battle to regain control of Fallujah.

The coalition’s spokesperson said in a statement that there are no plans for the Shia-dominated Popular Mobilisation Forces, also allied to the government, to enter Fallujah.

The Sunni fighters will enter the city along with security forces while the Popular Mobilisation Forces will stay on its borders, the coalition explained.

Coalition spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said that the alliance is not in contact with the Shia forces and is not aware of the sites where they are deployed, so the coalition is not seeking to protect them but at the same time they are keen that they not be harmed.

He said that the coalition’s planes launched 30 strikes on Daesh sites in Fallujah, adding that Iraqi forces have advanced to reach five kilometres away from the city.