Islamic State: Commander in Falluja killed says US

The US says it is unclear how long the battle will last        (Reuters)

The Islamic State group's commander in the besieged Iraqi city of Falluja is among 70 militants killed in coalition air strikes, the US military says.

Colonel Steve Warren said more than 20 strikes have been carried out in the past four days, destroying IS positions.

The raids are in support of Iraqi forces who are trying to retake Falluja from IS.

Meanwhile there are dire warnings about conditions in the city.

The IS commander in the city, Maher Al-Bilawi, was killed in bombardments targeting IS fighter positions and gun emplacements, Col Warren said.

However, the colonel warned that it was unclear how long the battle to retake the city would last