Iraqi forces say they have recaptured the city of Fallujah from Islamic State militants. Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory, saying government troops are continuing to battle small pockets of ISIL resistance in the city.

"We promised to liberate Fallujah, and we took it back. Our brave forces went into the town and took control of areas inside the city. I directed all the government institutions to mobilize efforts to help civilians and provide humanitarian aid to them. I also directed our heroic forces that are now in control on Fallujah," Haider al-Abadi said.

The victory for Iraq's military comes nearly a month after the offensive was launched. Government troops, supported by air strikes from the US-led coalition, recaptured a government complex where police raised the Iraqi state flag above the building. Fallujah, located nearly 50 kilometers from the capital Baghdad, was one of ISIL's most emblematic strongholds. The government's victory means Mosul is now the only major Iraqi city under militant control.