Majority of Fallujah retaken from so-called Islamic State

Iraqi government forces have gained control of most of the city of Fallujah, the country's prime minister has said.

While Iraqi troops control about 80% of the city, militants from so-called Islamic State remain concentrated in four pockets in the north of the city.

Speaking on Iraqi TV on Friday evening, prime minister Haider al-Abadi said Iraqi forces "tightened their control over the inside of the city, and there are some pockets that need to be cleaned out within hours".

Thousands of trapped residents took advantage of the militants' retreat, with some swimming across the Euphrates River to safety.