After an embarrassing loss for the Iraqi army earlier this year, this city which is only 55 miles from Baghdad has been liberated.
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The battle to liberate Ramadi from ISIS has been going on since October but the biggest assault which drove out the terrorists only took a week.
Iraqi troops celebrated in the streets as they took back government offices and slaughtered sheep in celebration.
The intense urban warfare decimated the city, leaving only ruble in the once flourishing city. Over 300 explosives were detonated by ISIS fighters in the government center, but when the dust cleared, all the terrorists were driven out.
US coalition airstrikes and ground forces are continuing to chase down ISIS fighters in retreat in the northern suburbs and outskirts of town, but make no mistake, this marks a major defeat for ISIS, which is currently being driven out of their strongholds.
The U.S. military called this a “proud moment for Iraq” and “the coalition will continue to support the government of Iraq as they move forward to make Ramadi safe for civilians to return.”
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From the BBC:
The Iraqi city of Ramadi has been “liberated” from so-called Islamic State, the Iraqi military has declared.
Spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasul said forces had achieved an “epic” victory. TV pictures showed troops raising the Iraqi flag over the government complex.
Some reports indicate there are still pockets of resistance in the city.
The BBC’s Thomas Fessy, in Ramadi, says the week-long battle against IS has destroyed the urban landscape.
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