Iraqi forces retook the key city of Ramadi from IS control on Monday after the city fell to the militants in May this year. Combing operations are underway to check for booby traps and flush out the remaining militants from the city. In the video, Iraqi forces are shown moving into Ramadi with all guns blazing. The forces regained control over the city's Haouz area, which was reportedly considered a stronghold of the Islamic State militants. The ground forces were supported by constant US-led airstrikes during which they were able to liberate central Ramadi. The victory of the Iraqi armed forces comes on the fifth day of its offensive. Iraqi forces, backed by US-led airstrikes, drove IS militants out of the city center and raised the Iraqi flag over the government complex. But military officials said insurgents were still holed up in various pockets of the city. Commenting on the recent victory, US Secretary of State sounded a cautionary tone and said, “While Ramadi is not yet fully secure and additional parts of the city still must be retaken, Iraq’s national flag now flies above the provincial government center and enemy forces have suffered a major defeat,” he said. “These gains attest to the growing confidence and capability of Iraqi forces who are fighting bravely against a ruthless adversary employing suicide bombers, snipers, and improvised explosive devices,” Kerry added. Describing the liberation of the city centre of Ramadi as a major milestone in the fight against ISIS, Senator John McCain said the recent capture of Tishreen Dam by opposition forces in Syria, similarly supported by US and coalition forces, also represents a meaningful setback for the militant group. “However, no one should understate how much work remains and how much more difficult that work will be than liberating Ramadi. The black flags of ISIL still fly over Mosul, Raqqa, and other key parts of Iraq and Syria,” he said. (With PTI inputs)
