Members of the Islamic State group began a house-to-house search in the city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, one day after fully capturing the city to find Iraqi army and police forces. The Associated Press reported on Monday, May 18, that Islamic State forces, or ISIS, are throwing the bodies of victims from recent clashes in the city into the Euphrates River. According to the Iraqi government, around 500 soldiers and Iraqi citizens were killed in clashes that intensified on Friday for the capture of Ramadi. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the United Nations, stated that in recent days, 6,500 families have fled the city. Ramadi has a population of nearly 850,000, and its capture marks the biggest victory for ISIS in recent months and the largest defeat for Haidar al-Abadi's government, which has dispatched Shiite militants to a military base around the city to retake it. Reuters reports that about 3,000 Shiite militants entered a military base near the city on Monday to participate in the operation to liberate it. However, eyewitnesses and a military officer reported that ISIS forces are moving towards this military base with armored vehicles. U.S. officials also announced on Monday that Washington, along with its allies in the international coalition, is helping the Iraqi government to retake Ramadi from the Islamic State group. According to Reuters, Eric Schultz, a White House spokesman, stated, 'It cannot be denied that this [the fall of Ramadi] is a defeat, but it cannot be denied that we are helping the Iraqis to retake Ramadi.' Mr. Schultz added that the U.S. believes 'Iraqi forces have the capability to regain full control of Ramadi with the support of coalition forces.' The U.S. leads an international coalition that attacks ISIS positions and forces in Syria and Iraq, but this coalition has so far refrained from deploying ground troops to the conflicts. U.S. officials say that President Barack Obama currently has no plans to change this strategy.
House-to-House Search by Islamic State Militants in Ramadi
Islamic State militants have captured Ramadi and are conducting house-to-house searches for Iraqi forces, resulting in significant casualties. The U.S. is assisting Iraq in efforts to reclaim the city, marking a critical moment in the ongoing conflict. This situation highlights the challenges faced by the Iraqi government and the implications for regional stability.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
ISIS has captured the city of Ramadi and is conducting searches for Iraqi forces, resulting in significant casualties. The U.S. is assisting the Iraqi government in efforts to reclaim the city.
- Around 500 soldiers and civilians were killed in the clashes for Ramadi.
- Approximately 6,500 families have fled the city due to the violence.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Islamic State group has been engaged in a brutal campaign to establish control over parts of Iraq and Syria, leading to widespread violence and humanitarian crises.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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