Iraq military command declares Ramadi fully 'liberated'
- 8 years ago
Iraqi forces have liberated the city of Ramadi and on Monday raised the national flag above the flashpoint government complex, a spokesman for the Joint Operations Command said.
On Sunday, the Islamic State group abandoned its last stronghold in Ramadi, effectively handing Iraqi forces their biggest victory since last year's massive jihadist nationwide offensive.
But, Iraqi forces, who made it to the center of the city, slowed in their advance towards the flashpoint government complex due to stiff resistance by remaining IS fighters, booby trapped buildings and fears for civilians believed trapped in the city, a lieutenant in the Iraqi special forces taking part in the offensive told i24news.
Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition air strikes had punched into the center of Ramadi on Tuesday, in a final push to retake the city.
On Sunday, the Islamic State group abandoned its last stronghold in Ramadi, effectively handing Iraqi forces their biggest victory since last year's massive jihadist nationwide offensive.
But, Iraqi forces, who made it to the center of the city, slowed in their advance towards the flashpoint government complex due to stiff resistance by remaining IS fighters, booby trapped buildings and fears for civilians believed trapped in the city, a lieutenant in the Iraqi special forces taking part in the offensive told i24news.
Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition air strikes had punched into the center of Ramadi on Tuesday, in a final push to retake the city.