Al Jazeera: Iraq's army storms centre of ISIL-held Ramadi
Two-front attack met with sniper fire and suicide bombers as troops seek to retake key city from fighters.
Iraq's military fought its way into the centre of a key ISIL-held city on Tuesday in a major operation to oust the armed group that seized control of Ramadi in May.
The attack on the capital of Anbar province began on Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the army's counter-terrorism unit told AFP news agency.
"We went into the centre of Ramadi from several fronts and we began purging residential areas. The city will be cleared in the coming 72 hours," said Sabah al-Noman. "We did not face strong resistance, only snipers and suicide bombers and this is a tactic we expected."
MIDDLE EAST
Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces 'move into Ramadi'. Iraqi forces recapture areas from ISIL around Ramadi.
U.N. says planning for Syria talks toward end of January.
Scores of Kurdish civilians among hundreds killed in Turkey's southeast – HRW. Turkish tanks pound Kurdish militants in week-long military campaign.
U.N. blames Saudi-led coalition for most attacks on Yemeni civilians.
Saudis say shoot down Yemeni missile aimed at oil installations.
UN envoy warns Yemen peace plan fragile.
Russia to start building Iran nuclear reactors.
Putin, Netanyahu agree in call to coordinate efforts to fight terrorism.
Hezbollah buries militant Qantar, vows to retaliate against Israel.
ASIA
Battle for Sangin: Taliban advances on desperate Afghan resistance as UK and US deploy special forces. Afghanistan Taliban: Police resist siege of HQ in Helmand's Sangin.
Taliban attack underscores worsening Afghanistan security amid drawdown.
Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban could be back in early 2016.
China will invite Syrian government, opposition for peace talks.
North Korea: Canada 'spouting rubbish' over pastor sentence.
Nepal's Madhesis decide to press on with protests on India border.
India toughens law for juvenile crimes including rape.
Indonesia hunts militant leaders after foot soldiers arrested.
Asian cities choking on worsening air pollution.
AFRICA
Burundi security forces accused of violent repression.
Tripoli asks Russia for military support for Libya's anti-terror fight.
UN support of Libyan government set to open door for potential UK airstrikes.
Nearly 800 people rescued from boats off Libya, body recovered.
Tunisia extends state of emergency for two months.
Muslims help non-Muslims escape extremist attack in Kenya, witnesses say.
Boko Haram forces more than 1 million kids out of school. Nigeria's Boko Haram 'forces one million out of school'.
UN official says Somalia is no longer a failed state.
Armed with new constitution, Congo leader in hurry for re-election.
Central African rebel leader drops opposition to polls.
Two more hit with U.N. sanctions for Central African Republic violence.
Sudan human rights situation 'deteriorating': top lawyer.
Zimbabwe to make Chinese yuan legal currency after Beijing cancels debts.
Egypt's Sisi warns against protests on anniversary of 2011 revolt.
EUROPE
Migrant crisis: Mediterranean rescue as influx tops million. EU gets one million migrants in 2015, smugglers seen making $1 billion.
Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of all-out 'war'.
U.S. imposes Ukraine-related sanctions on 34 individuals, entities.
Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels reach 'New Year' truce.
Moscow to consider countermeasures after US extends anti-Russia sanctions.
Spain's Socialists face hard choices in aftermath of inconclusive election.
French police foil terror plot in Orléans. Orleans: 'Terror attack' foiled in French region.
Greek parliament votes to recognise Palestinian state.
AMERICAS
Obama plans summit on migrant crisis.
New camp in Texas for Central American children who entered U.S. illegally.
US economic growth revised down from 2.1% to 2.0%.
Colombian president signs decree to legalise medical marijuana.
Panama orders arrest of ex-leader Ricardo Martinelli.
Battered Brazil vows 2016 Olympics will be 'spectacular'.
Brazil's Rousseff says opponents lack legal basis to impeach her.
Brazil antitrust body probes 21 companies in Petrobras case.
Haiti presidential election run-off delayed.
US quietly maneuvers to cut UN dues.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Rise of ISIS named top story of 2015.
ISIL 'caliphate' shrank by 14 percent in 2015: monitor.
Arab world has overwhelmingly negative views of Islamic State: poll.
San Bernardino attackers 'met online' and in person at Hajj.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Brent oil hits 11-year low as global supply balloons. Oil price: Brent crude hits 11-year low.
ExxonMobil and Sierra Club agreed on climate policy—and kept it secret.
SpaceX Falcon rocket nails safe landing in pivotal space feat.
2 comments:
If it was as easy as they claim I would be very leery for the next 5 days.
I read that Ar Ramadi might be a trap.
It took the IA 7 weeks or so to capture it.
Someone was saying that Obama stepped up bombing in Iraq in response to Putin's showing how unserious Obama had been before Russia's entry into the war against ISIS.
That loser Obozo should know that if there is one attack the size of San Bernadino, his legacy is toast. ISIS is going to do what they do. We can't do anything, but Obummer can and he chose to do nothing.
I give ISIS 6 months to a year to hold both Raqaaa and Mosul. I thought Mosul would have fallen about 3 months after Tikrit, but I was obviously wrong.
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