Iraqi Officials: Islamic State Captures Command Center in Ramadi

While initial estimates indicate that at least 500 people have been killed in two days of battles in Ramadi, Iraq, some officials in the country say that militants from the group known as 'Islamic State' have taken control of the operational command center in the region. Mohand Himour, a local spokesperson and advisor, told AFP that the Anbar operations command has fallen. Several other security officials have confirmed this news. Al Arabiya news network also reported that the city of Ramadi fell on May 17 after Islamist militants subjected the city to continuous suicide attacks. However, Mohand Himour states that the city has not yet fallen and that forces are still engaged in battle against the Islamists. Previously, Islamic State forces had captured the Anbar governor's building in Ramadi, marking one of their most significant victories in recent months. Iraqi officials have not yet announced the exact number of casualties among their forces and civilians in the Ramadi battle. However, Mr. Himour says estimates indicate that at least 500 people have been killed, both among military personnel and civilians. The Kurdish website Rudaw reported earlier that at least 150 Iraqi police forces are surrounded by Islamic State militants in central Ramadi. Sheikh Aref Alwani, a tribal leader from Anbar province, told this news network that since Friday, these 'officers and police forces from the Abu Alwani tribe have been surrounded by ISIS fighters.' No further news has been released regarding their fate. Anbar province, the largest province in Iraq, is considered one of the country's strategic and critical areas. Colonel Jabar Asafi, a police officer in Ramadi, told AFP that security forces, police, and the army have retreated from Ramadi towards the main highway. Another officer in the city stated that Islamist militants have taken control of the city's main security bases.