The Iraqi Army, backed by the Federal Police and Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd Al-Sha’abi), entered Fallujah’s southern sector on Sunday after advancing north from the nearby Al-Nu’aymiyah District.

According to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, government units infiltrated the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) front-lines at the Al-Shuhada District in southern Fallujah, marking the first time in two years that the Iraqi Army has entered this city.

In addition to entering the Al-Shuhada District, the Iraqi Armed Forces also broke-through the Islamic State’s defenses at the Jbeil District after killing several terrorist combatants on Sunday. Clashes continued overnight, as the Iraqi Armed Forces resumed their large-scale offensive inside Fallujah city.

The Fallujah operation coincides with a twin offensive on IS-strongholds in neighboring Syria. Syrian Kurdish forces are advancing on Manbij, an IS-held city controlling the supply route between the Turkish border and the town of Raqqa, the militants’ de facto capital. At the same time, Syrian government troops are advancing on Raqqa from the south.