Despite the announcement by the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Army on December 23 that the capture of Ramadi would occur 'within a few days', the process of retaking the city from Islamic State militants is continuing slowly. According to AFP, ISIS fighters have taken refuge in the government building in the city in their last attempts to resist the Iraqi army. Following a large-scale attack by the Iraqi army last Tuesday, ISIS militants in Ramadi have carried out operations using snipers, explosive traps, roadside bombs, and suicide attacks to slow the advance of government forces. Although hopes for a quick liberation of Ramadi have faded, reports indicate that counter-terrorism forces alongside the army are making their way through obstacles to crush the last resistance of the militants. To complete and stabilize the process of capturing Ramadi, government forces first took control of the Hoz area, which includes government complexes in the center of the city, from ISIS militants. However, after encountering explosive traps in their advance towards other targets, they decided to proceed from the riverbanks. Several Iraqi army commanders reported that three government forces were killed on Friday, while at least 23 ISIS militants were killed on the same day. It is estimated that the total number of Islamic State fighters in Ramadi is a maximum of 400. Meanwhile, Colonel Steve Warren, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition forces supporting the Iraqi army's operations with airstrikes, confirmed the advance of Iraqi government forces in Ramadi. The Iraqi army has launched extensive attacks against Islamic State positions to drive them out of Ramadi, supported by U.S. airstrikes since last week. Ramadi, located 110 kilometers south of Baghdad, fell to the Islamic State group in May of this year following the retreat of the Iraqi army. This city is the center of the predominantly Sunni Anbar province, which extends from the outskirts of Baghdad to the borders of Syria and Jordan.
The Operation to Retake Ramadi Continues Slowly
The Iraqi army's operation to retake Ramadi from ISIS is progressing slowly, despite initial expectations for a quick capture. The city remains a stronghold for ISIS fighters, who are employing various tactics to resist government forces. The outcome of this operation is crucial for the stability of the region and the fight against ISIS.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iraqi army's operation to retake Ramadi from ISIS is progressing slowly, facing strong resistance from militants. Despite initial expectations for a quick victory, the situation remains tense with ongoing clashes and casualties on both sides.
- ISIS fighters are using snipers and explosive traps to resist Iraqi forces.
- The Iraqi army has received support from U.S. airstrikes during the operation.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Ramadi's capture by ISIS in 2015 marked a significant setback for the Iraqi government, highlighting the ongoing struggle against extremist groups in the region.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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