Iraqi forces declare victory after 'seizing Islamic State stronghold in Ramadi'

Ramadi, seized by Islamic State fighters in May, could finally be returned to Iraqi government control

Recapturing Ramadi, which fell to fighters from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) in May, would be one of the most significant victories for Iraq's armed forces since the jihadists swept in from Syria to claim a third of the country in 2014.

But their advance had been slowed by the continued presence of pockets of civilians in combat zones, many of them used as human shields by Isil.

Civilians who escaped said after being taken by the army to camps east of Ramadi that there was little food for those left behind.

If the offensive in Ramadi succeeds, it will be the second main city to be retaken by the Iraqi government after Tikrit in April. Officials said it would be handed over to the local police and to a Sunni tribal force once secured.

Quote from: Dori on December 27, 2015, 02:22:08 PM
Iraqi forces declare victory after 'seizing Islamic State stronghold in Ramadi'

Ramadi, seized by Islamic State fighters in May, could finally be returned to Iraqi government control

Recapturing Ramadi, which fell to fighters from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) in May, would be one of the most significant victories for Iraq's armed forces since the jihadists swept in from Syria to claim a third of the country in 2014.

But their advance had been slowed by the continued presence of pockets of civilians in combat zones, many of them used as human shields by Isil.

Civilians who escaped said after being taken by the army to camps east of Ramadi that there was little food for those left behind.

If the offensive in Ramadi succeeds, it will be the second main city to be retaken by the Iraqi government after Tikrit in April. Officials said it would be handed over to the local police and to a Sunni tribal force once secured.

"Officials said it would be handed over to the local police and to a Sunni tribal force once secured."

That is the first sane thought I have heard coming out of the ME in a long time. If taken over by Shite it would just mean one set of thugs swapped for another set of thugs.

For seven months just 300 ISIS fighters held Ramadi against 10,000 Iraqi military troops!

Now the Iraqi military is celebrating their BIG success in Ramadi.   

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3376070/Iraqi-forces-vow-Mosul-ISIS-leader-Baghdadi-filmed-time-declaring-caliphate-great-victory-Ramadi.html

Quote from: kroz on December 28, 2015, 06:21:07 AM
For seven months just 300 ISIS fighters held Ramadi against 10,000 Iraqi military troops!

Now the Iraqi military is celebrating their BIG success in Ramadi.   

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3376070/Iraqi-forces-vow-Mosul-ISIS-leader-Baghdadi-filmed-time-declaring-caliphate-great-victory-Ramadi.html

And at what cost to the American taxpayer?

Quote from: kroz on December 28, 2015, 06:21:07 AM
For seven months just 300 ISIS fighters held Ramadi against 10,000 Iraqi military troops!

Now the Iraqi military is celebrating their BIG success in Ramadi.   

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3376070/Iraqi-forces-vow-Mosul-ISIS-leader-Baghdadi-filmed-time-declaring-caliphate-great-victory-Ramadi.html

ISIS should be having a keg party(if they drank) for holding out so long. 

Quote from: kroz on December 28, 2015, 06:21:07 AM
For seven months just 300 ISIS fighters held Ramadi against 10,000 Iraqi military troops!

I don't believe there has been 10k Iraqi fighters in Ramadi this whole time.  This battle in Ramadi started back in Feb. of '14.  It's been a back and forth tug of war in different sections.  The ISIS fighters had a lot heavier weaponry, especially after taking over nearby military bases. 

It's also been confusing.  ISIS is Sunni.  A lot of the security forces sent by Baghdad, were Iranian backed Shite.  There are also tribal warlords in the Anbar Province who are Sunni, so there were mixed tribal and religious confrontations.

Al Qaeda Iraq, which later became ISIS, were from the old Iraqi military that had been loyal to Saddam.  They were hardened fighters.  They knew the area and the people and who/where their loyalties fell.