The commander of Iraq's operation to retake Fallujah from the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) said Tuesday (June 7th) victory was days away, but progress was slowed by huge numbers of bombs and traps.

"The security forces are advancing towards central Fallujah from the southern side but doing so cautiously, to preserve civilian lives," Lt. Gen. Abdelwahab al-Saadi told AFP.

"In the coming days, we will declare the liberation of Fallujah," Saadi said.

The Joint Operations Command admitted that progress was being slowed by the astounding number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid by ISIL in the city.

"There are tunnels and between 150 and 200 bombs are defused every 100 metres," it said in a statement.

"Our information is that ISIL has prepared car bombs which they are hiding in homes, with the intention of attacking us when we enter," the statement said.

On Monday, Iraqi forces recaptured the town of Albu Hawa to the south of Fallujah and have reached al-Hor street which links the south of Fallujah to its centre, Ministry of Defence spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasul told Al-Shorfa.

"The progress made today is the start of the actual operation to storm the central town area," he said.