Iraqi forces battle IS militants outside Fallujah

This picture provided by the office of Iraq's Prime Minister, shows Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, seated left, wearing a black uniform and flanked by senior military commanders during a meeting at the Fallujah Operation Command center outside Fallujah, Iraq, Monday, May 23, 2016. Iraqi government forces on Monday pushed Islamic State militants out of some agricultural areas outside Fallujah as they launched a military offensive to recapture the city from the extremists, officials said. (Iraqi Prime Minister's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

BAGHDAD – Officials say government forces have pushed Islamic State militants from some agricultural areas outside the city of Fallujah at the start of a military offensive aimed at recapturing the city from the Islamic State group.

Police 1st Lt. Ahmed Mahdi Salih said Monday that the ground fighting is taking place around the town of Garma, east of Fallujah, which is considered the main supply line to the militants. IS holds the center of Garma and some areas on its outskirts.

Col. Mahmoud al-Mardhi, who is in charge of paramilitary forces, says his troops recaptured at least three agricultural areas outside Garma.

Backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and paramilitary troops, Iraqi government forces launched the long-awaited military offensive on Fallujah late Sunday night.