Iraqi Forces Have 'Recaptured' Large Parts of Ramadi from ISIS

On December 7, Iraq announced that its security and military forces have recaptured a large part of Ramadi, which had been seized by the group known as the 'Islamic State.' The advance of Iraqi forces in this city against extremists could be a significant step in the battles against the 'Islamic State.' In May, the command center of the city was captured by 'ISIS' forces. Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province in Iraq, the largest province and one of the most strategically important areas in the country. One day before the announcement of the recent advances, Amnesty International stated that during the capture of Ramadi and several other cities in Iraq by the 'Islamic State,' a large amount of weapons and ammunition had fallen into the hands of this group. Since May, battles to reclaim this important city in Iraq have continued, and so far, Iraqi military forces have not been able to gain full control of it. The operations of Iraqi ground forces are supported by airstrikes from the United States military, which, according to reports from Agence France-Presse, conducted more than 45 attacks on positions in the city and its surroundings just last week. A spokesman for Iraq's anti-terrorism organization stated that 'Islamic State' fighters have no option 'but to surrender or continue fighting and be completely destroyed.' Fully regaining control of Ramadi could deal a significant blow to 'ISIS.' Colonel Steve Warren, a spokesman for U.S. operations against the 'Islamic State,' stated that the recapture of the city paves the way for subsequent operations and undermines ISIS propaganda. Colonel Warren said, 'In my opinion, the liberation of Ramadi destroys [Islamic State's] claims to maintain territorial position and function as a state, a caliphate.' Ramadi is also a customs and commercial center for the area known as the 'Euphrates Province.' This area, which the 'Islamic State' has established in its self-proclaimed caliphate, spans parts of Iraq and Syria and controls sections of the borders of both countries.