Iraqi forces say Ramadi offensive near

AFP, BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces have made significant advances around Ramadi and an operation to retake the city captured by the Islamic State group in May is near, officers said Wednesday.
“Great people, the hour of victory against the Daesh criminal gangs (IS) has come,” said a statement from the Joint Operations Command for Anbar province, of which Ramadi is the capital.
“Your heroic forces are advancing steadily from the northern side... they managed to reach Albu Farraj area,” on the northern edge of the city centre, it said.
The head of the Anbar command, Major General Ismail Mahalawi, told AFP that “Iraqi forces have raised the Iraqi flag on Albu Farraj bridge”, over the Euphrates.
Since the start of October, Iraqi forces have been closing in on Ramadi, gaining ground west and north of the city in particular.
IS fighters took Ramadi, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Baghdad, in mid-May after a three-day blitz of massive suicide car and truck bomb attacks that forced a disorderly retreat by pro-government troops.

Iraqi forces say Ramadi offensive near

AFP, BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces have made significant advances around Ramadi and an operation to retake the city captured by the Islamic State group in May is near, officers said Wednesday. Great people, the hour of victory against the Daesh criminal gangs (IS) has come, said a statement from the Joint Operations Command for Anbar province, of which Ramadi is the capital. Your heroic forces are advancing steadily from the northern side... they managed to reach Albu Farraj area, on the northern edge of the city centre, it said. The head of the Anbar command, Major General Ismail Mahalawi, told AFP that Iraqi forces have raised the Iraqi flag on Albu Farraj bridge, over the Euphrates. Since the start of October, Iraqi forces have been closing in on Ramadi, gaining ground west and north of the city in particular. IS fighters took Ramadi, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Baghdad, in mid-May after a three-day blitz of massive suicide car and truck bomb attacks that forced a disorderly retreat by pro-government troops.