Iraqi Military Recaptures Ramadi from ISIS Terror Group
Iraqi soldiers recaptured the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants, the country's military said Monday.
Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul confirmed that Iraqi troops had raised the nation's flag at the city's central government compound, according to CNN.
Ramadi is a city in the Anbar province, located about 70 miles from Baghdad. It was captured by ISIS in May, in what was a major setback in Iraq's effort to combat the terror group.
The central Iraqi city is a vital locale for ISIS, with roads leading into Jordan and Syria.
This latest victory, aided by air support from the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, is a sign that Iraq's coordination with international forces has reaped significant benefits.
Coalition spokesman Col. Steve Warren told CNN that the Iraqi fighters have made "great progress" in securing key areas of Ramadi.
"The clearance of the government center is a significant accomplishment and is the result of many months of hard work by the Iraqi Army, the Counter Terrorism Service, the Iraqi Air Force, local and federal police and tribal fighters," coalition spokesman Col. Steve Warren said.
Nevertheless, Warren said there are still small groups of insurgents littered across the city. The threat of planted explosives and booby traps remain ever present for the military, and it is unlikely ISIS will completely disappear from the area given their presence in towns east and north of Ramadi.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi celebrated the victory, and vowed to defeat the terror organization before the end of the coming year.
"2016 will be the year of the big and final victory, when Daesh's (ISIS) presence in Iraq will be terminated," Abadi said in a speech broadcast on state television, Reuters reports.
The prime minister said Iraqi troops would go on to liberate Mosul, northern Iraq's main city and one of ISIS's strongholds.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement on the victory.
"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. 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," read the statement.
Kerry went to say that "the gains we saw today are a tribute to the prime minister's strong leadership and his belief in a unified Iraq for all its citizens."