Medical sources in Iraq say nearly a dozen civilians, among them women and children, have been killed and more than three dozen others injured in rocket attacks by ISIL militants against residential neighborhoods in the western city of Fallujah.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network on Wednesday that 11 people lost their lives as the projectiles hit populated areas across the city, located roughly 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of the capital, Baghdad.
Two women and four children were among the victims. Another 38 civilians, among them 15 women and 11 children, also sustained injuries. Some of them have been reported to be in a critical condition.
Iraqi army forces, backed by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization units, have launched a major operation to take back the strategic western city of Fallujah from ISIL militants.
Iraqi officials said the offensive to retake the troubled city began on Monday night.
Fallujah lies between Baghdad and Anbar’s provincial capital of Ramadi, which is under ISIL control. The city’s liberation will choke off the militants’ supply lines.
