Baghdad suspends military operations in Fallujah

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday suspension of its military operations in Fallujah city, Anbar governorate, for only three days.The move comes in response to demands by clerics and chieftains for residents there to initiate in isolating and expelling all terrorists from the city.The military operations will be suspended for 72 hours as of tonight till 6: 00 a.m. Monday, February 24, the ministry explained in a statement.The suspension comes in response to goodwill initiatives conducted by clerics, chieftains, and even officers who desired to stop the bloodshed in Fallujah where people are being killed and displaced of their homes due to the control of the insurgents belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).The ministry warned the terrorists about the consequences of attacking civilians, security forces, governmental institutions, and hospitals that aim at showing the public that the Iraqi government did not honor its commitments and promises to protect civilians, affirming that Iraqi Security Forces' response will be severe and harsh.It urged tribesmen to expel all terrorists from the city in order to bring back life to its normal condition in Fallujah, and educational institutions, businesses, and facilities can resume their activities once again.