Iraq's military said on Monday that it has completely liberated the key city of Ramadi from the Islamic State militant group. A military spokesman said on state television that they have raised the country's flag over the central government complex, a day after the army declared the city captured in its first major victory over Islamic State fighters.
IS had captured the city in May this year, in what was seen as its biggest triumph of the year. The recapturing of the city is the first major win for Iraq's United States-trained army since it collapsed in the face of an assault by the hardline militants 18 months ago, reported Reuters.
The Iraqi military and the US revised strategies and relaunched a campaign to get the city back from IS last week. The army made a push to take over the central administration complex on Sunday. However, security officials have said the military still need to clear some pockets of insurgents in the city and its outskirts.
Local leaders have called on the Iraq government to begin rebuilding the city as soon as possible. The city will be handed over to local police and trained Sunni tribal forces. After the win in Ramadi, forces will look at regaining control over the city of Mosul, which is the largest population centre controlled by IS forces in Iraq and Syria.
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