Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message Saturday to his Iraqi counterpart congratulated that country’s government and people on the recapture of the city of Fallujah from the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group. In the message to Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Zarif praised the Iraqi army and voluntary forces for their “courageous fight and victory” against the terrorists and mercenaries, and congratulated the people, government and religious authorities on “the epic victory”, Tasnim News Agency reported. He noted that the rare achievement in the fasting month of Ramadan is a sign of divine assistance. IS took the city in 2014. Zarif expressed the hope that national harmony and integrity as well as efficient use of national capacities can and will help Iraq score greater victories against the terrorists and their supporters across the “united, cohesive and glorious Iraq”. On Friday night, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that the western city of Fallujah had been liberated from IS control. “Fallujah has returned to the homeland. Our troops are in control of the city and have tightened their grip on its center,” he declared. The Fall of Fallujah was a battle that took place from late 2013 to early 2014, in which ISIL, other Sunni insurgents and mercenaries captured the key city. It was one of the first Iraqi cities to fall out of the control of the government in Baghdad.
