Iraq has declared the city of Ramadi liberated from the control of Islamic State and raised the national flag over its government complex after clinching what would be a key victory against the jihadis, The Guardian reported.
Fighters brandishing rifles danced in the Anbar provincial capital as top commanders paraded through the streets after recapturing the city they lost to Isis in May.
“Ramadi has been liberated and the armed forces of the counter-terrorism service have raised the Iraqi flag above the government complex,” Brig Gen Yahya Rasool announced on state television.
However, there have been some conflicting statements from military officials over whether the city has been fully liberated. Gen Ismail al-Mahlawi, head of military operations in Anbar, said that Iraqi forces had only retaken the government complex and that parts of the city remained under Isis control. He said Isis fighters still controlled 30% of Ramadi, and that government forces did not fully control many districts from which Isis fighters have retreated.
“We can’t say that Ramadi is fully liberated. There are still neighbourhoods under their control and there are still pockets of resistance”.
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