Iraqi security forces say they have fought a 15-hour battle with ISIL militants outside the city of Fallujah. The conflict ended with coalition airstrikes on what was believed to be the fleeing militant convoy.

Fallujah is back in the hands of the Iraqi army, but fighting continues on its outskirts and in surrounding areas. About 250 ISIL militants travelling in a convoy were believed killed by U.S. led coalition airstrikes midweek. Iraqi forces say the ISIL fighters were fleeing after an intense gun battle.

"The battle lasted from 20:30 last night until noon today. We destroyed all the forces that got out of Albu Aifan area from what they used to call Falluja province," Staff Brigadier General in Iraqi army Ismail Alhialy said.

ISIL seized Fallujah at the start of 2014, six months before they declared a "caliphate" over parts of Syria and Iraq. Government forces backed by militias recaptured the city a week ago.

Fallujah has been liberated by the Iraqi army but ISIL still remain in small pockets in this town”. The assault is part of a wider offensive by Iraqi forces against ISIL, which is now being driven back with the help of air support from a U.S.-led coalition. Once Fallujah is fully secured the Iraqi army plans to launch an offensive against ISIL in Mosul, their last stronghold in Iraq and the country’s second largest city.

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