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Iraqi forces seek to tighten hold in Ramadi after gains against Islamic State Iraqi forces seek to tighten hold in Ramadi after gains against Islamic State
(35 minutes later)
BAGHDAD — Iraqi troops backed by U.S.-led air support moved Monday to consolidate gains against the Islamic State in Ramadi after reclaiming the main government compound from the militants in a critical test for government security forces.BAGHDAD — Iraqi troops backed by U.S.-led air support moved Monday to consolidate gains against the Islamic State in Ramadi after reclaiming the main government compound from the militants in a critical test for government security forces.
The full extent of Iraqi control of the city remained unclear, and the Islamic State has showed resilience in past battles. But the recapture of the government offices was seen as an important boost for Iraqi units that have struggled to dislodge the Islamic State from its strongholds in the country. The full extent of Iraqi control of the city remained unclear, and the Islamic State has showed resilience in past battles. But the recapture of the government site was seen as an important boost for Iraqi units that have struggled to dislodge the Islamic State from its strongholds in the country.
Regaining control of Ramadi, about 80 miles west of Baghdad, would push the Islamic State farther from Iraqi capital and could become a springboard for an attempt to unseat the militants from their center of power in Iraq, the northern city of Mosul. Regaining control of Ramadi, about 80 miles west of Baghdad, would push the Islamic State farther from Iraqi capital and could become a springboard for a major attempt to unseat the militants from their center of power in Iraq, the northern city of Mosul.
In a sign of the fluid contest for Ramadi, however, mixed signals on the status of the battle came from Iraqi authorities.In a sign of the fluid contest for Ramadi, however, mixed signals on the status of the battle came from Iraqi authorities.
[Iraqi forces raise flag in center of Ramadi][Iraqi forces raise flag in center of Ramadi]
A Iraqi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, announced that the city had been “fully liberated” from the “hateful claws” of the Islamic State, which took control of Ramadi seven months ago.A Iraqi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, announced that the city had been “fully liberated” from the “hateful claws” of the Islamic State, which took control of Ramadi seven months ago.
But Gen. Ismail al-Mahlawi, head of military operations in the area, noted that at least 30 percent of Ramadi remained in Islamic State hands.But Gen. Ismail al-Mahlawi, head of military operations in the area, noted that at least 30 percent of Ramadi remained in Islamic State hands.
On Sunday, there was a celebratory atmosphere in Baghdad after reports of Iraqi advances in the heart of Ramadi. State television showed images of people dancing and setting off fireworks as they waved the Iraqi flag in the streets. On Sunday, there was a festive atmosphere in Baghdad after reports of Iraqi advances in the heart of Ramadi. State television showed images of people dancing and setting off fireworks as they waved Iraqi flags.
Soldiers in Ramadi staged their own displays, firing into the air and slaughtering a sheep in a ritual of celebration.
“We are congratulating the Iraqi security forces for their significant progress in Ramadi,” said Army Col. Chris Garver, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State. “We also know the fight for Ramadi isn’t over, and there is still more hard work to do.”“We are congratulating the Iraqi security forces for their significant progress in Ramadi,” said Army Col. Chris Garver, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State. “We also know the fight for Ramadi isn’t over, and there is still more hard work to do.”
The Iraqi military is attempting to repair its tattered reputation after defeats last year by the Islamic State, which seized about a third of the country. The Iraqi military is attempting to repair its tattered reputation after defeats last year by the Islamic State, which seized about a third of the country and forced backed Iraqi troops in humiliating retreats.
[Gallery: The fight for Ramadi][Gallery: The fight for Ramadi]
The military and pro-government forces have slowly clawed back land, but the fight for Ramadi is the first major battle in which Iraq’s powerful Shiite militias have largely been excluded, because of concerns about their presence in the largely Sunni city. That has allowed military forces a chance to prove that they can go it alone. Sunni tribal forces also have been used for the offensive, but largely for holding territory as it is retaken. The military and pro-government forces have slowly clawed back land, but the fight for Ramadi is the first major battle in which Iraq’s powerful Shiite militias have largely been excluded because of concerns about their presence in the largely Sunni city.
That has allowed Iraqi military forces a chance to prove that they can go it alone. Sunni tribal forces also have been used for the offensive, but largely for holding territory as it is retaken.
Brig. Gen. Hamid al-Fatlawi, commander of the Iraqi army’s 8th Division, said that Iraqi ­forces had seen limited direct combat around the complex but that the Islamic State had used suicide bombers and car bombs to try to fend off the assault before its fighters fled.Brig. Gen. Hamid al-Fatlawi, commander of the Iraqi army’s 8th Division, said that Iraqi ­forces had seen limited direct combat around the complex but that the Islamic State had used suicide bombers and car bombs to try to fend off the assault before its fighters fled.
The militants left explosives throughout the compound, Fatlawi said. “Even the cats walking in the street might be booby-trapped,” he said. “It’s their method of fighting.”The militants left explosives throughout the compound, Fatlawi said. “Even the cats walking in the street might be booby-trapped,” he said. “It’s their method of fighting.”
[For Iraqi forces, a chance at redemption][For Iraqi forces, a chance at redemption]
The U.S. military said coalition warplanes had carried out dozens of airstrikes in the past week in and around Ramadi. The attacks have destroyed vehicles operated by the militants, a factory used to make vehicle-borne bombs and two houses that were rigged with explosives, according to statements released by the coalition.The U.S. military said coalition warplanes had carried out dozens of airstrikes in the past week in and around Ramadi. The attacks have destroyed vehicles operated by the militants, a factory used to make vehicle-borne bombs and two houses that were rigged with explosives, according to statements released by the coalition.
In 2006, when U.S. troops battled for control of Ramadi, the government compound was also a key focus of fighting.In 2006, when U.S. troops battled for control of Ramadi, the government compound was also a key focus of fighting.
“It will take a long time to completely liberate the city,” said Eid al-Karboly, a spokesman for the provincial council of Anbar. He said that about 75 percent of central Ramadi was still under the militants’ control, including neighborhoods such as Mallab, where civilians are still thought to remain. This has complicated the U.S. air campaign, which has played a major role in the Iraqi advance. “It will take a long time to completely liberate the city,” said Eid al-Karboly, a spokesman for the provincial council of Anbar.
He said some of the areas in Ramadi still under Islamic State control include neighborhoods such as Mallab, where civilians are still thought to remain. This has complicated the U.S.-directed air campaign, which has played a major role in the Iraqi advance.
Brett McGurk, a special presidential envoy to the U.S.-led coalition, said in a tweet Sunday that airstrikes will continue until other areas are secured.Brett McGurk, a special presidential envoy to the U.S.-led coalition, said in a tweet Sunday that airstrikes will continue until other areas are secured.
Naylor reported from Istanbul. Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.Naylor reported from Istanbul. Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.
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