EXCLUSIVE: Iraqi Forces Continue to Advance in Ramadi Area

The Iraqi troops purged Ramadi’s market, a clinic, al-Salieh and al-Jamieh regions in the Northern parts of the city near the governmental buildings.

On Monday evening, the Iraqi forces managed to retake Al-Jazira bridge from the terrorists in the Northern part of the city and continue their advances in the Eastern and the Western parts of the city.

On Sunday, Commander of Iraq’s counter-terrorism contingent said that parts of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, remaining under the control of the ISIL should be fully liberated in four to five days.

Parts of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, remaining under the control of the ISIL militant group, should be fully liberated in four to five days, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Ghani Asadi, commander of Iraq’s anti-terrorism contingent.

“Few areas of Ramadi are still controlled by the ISIL, they will soon be liberated. We will establish full control over Ramadi in four to five days,” Asadi said.

According to the commander, after Ramadi is freed from the ISIL militants, the Iraqi army will start liberating the city of Fallujah in the Anbar province. The Iraqi army will also need to receive the corresponding order from Supreme Commander Haider Abadi, the country’s prime minister, to proceed with the operation in Fallujah, Asadi added.

“The area surrounding Fallujah is under siege, which allows for attacks on the ISIL militants there,” Asadi said.

Ramadi has been occupied by the ISIL, an organization outlawed in many countries including Russia, since May.

The Iraqi army announced on Monday it had regained full control over the western Iraqi city. The Anbar province authorities and US State Secretary John Kerry later clarified that Ramadi had not yet been fully reclaimed.

Fallujah, located 42 miles west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, is one of the largest cities in the Anbar province. In mid-July, Iraqi troops launched a major offensive to liberate Fallujah, as well as Ramadi, from ISIL militants.