U.S. Believes Iraq Is Ready To Retake Ramadi

VOA: Coalition Spokesman: Now Time for Push into Ramadi

PENTAGON - The time is right for Iraqi forces to make a “final push” to reclaim Ramadi from Islamic State fighters, according to the spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the militant group.

Iraqi security forces squeezed tighter around Anbar’s provincial capital, advancing 15 kilometers in the last week after months of slowed fighting due to a brutally hot Iraqi summer and the religious observances of Ramadan and the hajj, Col. Steve Warren told reporters via teleconference from Baghdad. The push came in tandem with an increase in U.S.-led coalition airstrikes there, with 52 strikes in or near Ramadi in the last 10 days.

“With the combination of the recent successes that they’ve had, along with the increased air power and increased ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) that we’ve allocated to the Ramadi fight, we believe that now is the time for a final push,” Warren said.

WNU Editor: This analysis is correct .... the U.S. and Iraq desperately need a victory .... Why the U.S. and Iraq Need a Victory in Ramadi (Stratfor)

More News On Reports That Iraq Is Preparing to Launch An offensive To Seize Ramadi

U.S. sees imminent Iraqi push for Ramadi -- CNN
US to Iraq: Time for 'final push' into Ramadi -- AFP
U.S. says Iraqis ready to force ISIS out of Ramadi -- AP
US says Iraqi forces ready to move into Ramadi, warning of tough battle -- Rudaw