Iraqi Army Announces 'Complete Recapture' of Ramadi from ISIS Forces

On Sunday, January 7, the Iraqi Army announced its victory over the Islamic State (ISIS) forces in the city of Ramadi. The Iraqi Army claims to have taken control of the main parts of the city and the complex of government buildings in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. According to Reuters, Yahya Rasool, spokesperson for the joint operations to retake Ramadi, stated on Sunday that 'the city of Ramadi has been liberated,' adding that Iraqi forces have succeeded in raising the Iraqi flag over the central government building in Ramadi. The recapture of Ramadi, a predominantly Sunni city in Anbar province, is the most significant victory for these forces since the Islamic State's advance began last summer. After besieging the city, the Iraqi Army launched its operations to retake Ramadi last week. On Sunday, these forces began a new phase of their operations to capture government centers and buildings in the city center. Meanwhile, Sabah al-Nu'mani, a spokesperson for the government forces in this operation, told Reuters that capturing the government centers and buildings in the city center means that we have defeated them in this city. The next step for the army is to clear any remaining elements in the city. Iraqi state television also broadcast images of armored vehicles and government forces in Ramadi, with clear evidence of the complete destruction of some areas of the city. However, a U.S. military official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that U.S. forces are unable to confirm whether ISIS fighters have been forced to retreat and vacate the government buildings in Ramadi. Meanwhile, in some Shiite-majority cities south of Baghdad, people celebrated in the streets for the army's victory in Ramadi. The Iraqi government forces have not provided any casualty figures for their troops during the recapture of Ramadi. Falih al-Issawi, a member of the Anbar provincial council, has called on the Iraqi government to immediately prepare for the return of people to Ramadi. He stated that without providing basic needs such as water and electricity, people will not be willing to return to the city. Ramadi was captured by the Islamic State in May of this year. Mosul, with a population of over two million, was captured by ISIS last summer and remains under the control of this group.