Iraq Starts Offensive to Take Parts of Ramadi

[tankdude]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-26/iraq-starts-offensive-to-take-parts-of-ramadi-from-islamic-state.html?cmpid=yhoo

 

The Iraqi military, backed by the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State, began an offensive to retake parts of Ramadi, an Iraqi official said.

 

“Military forces today started an offensive to retake the east-central parts of Ramadi,” Faleh Al-Issawi, deputy chief of Anbar provincial council, said by phone today. Vehicular traffic was banned in the city, he said.

 

Control of Ramadi has seesawed for months between the sides. The city is the capital of Anbar, Iraq’s largest province, and capturing it would be a victory for Islamic State as it battles to tighten its grip on Sunni areas of Iraq.

 

The governor of Anbar, Ahmed Abu Risha, and other tribal chiefs met with U.S. officials in Washington last week to discuss arming tribal fighters against Islamic State, according to a statement from the governor’s office. The delegation, which is to return to Iraq tomorrow, was promised arms to help the province oust the militants, according to the statement.