Reuters: Iraq says forces raise flag above government complex in Ramadi
Iraq's military flew the Iraqi flag above the main government complex in the city of Ramadi, a military spokesman said on Monday, the day after the army declared the provincial capital captured in its first major victory over Islamic State fighters.
"Yes, the city of Ramadi has been liberated. The Iraqi counter terrorism forces have raised the Iraqi flag over the government complex," joint operations spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool said in a statement broadcast on state television.
Victory in Ramadi, which was seized by Islamic State fighters in May, is the most significant triumph for Iraq's U.S.-trained army since it collapsed in the face of an assault by the hardline Sunni Muslim militants 18 months ago.
Soldiers were shown on state television publicly slaughtering a sheep in an act of celebration.
MIDDLE EAST
ISIL suffers setbacks on two fronts in Iraq.
Iraqi forces retake Islamic State Ramadi stronghold. Fall of Ramadi flashpoint hands Iraq forces landmark victory.
Hundreds of fighters and civilians evacuated from besieged Syrian areas.
Bombs in Syria's Homs kill 32, wound 90: monitoring group.
U.S., allies conduct 33 strikes against Islamic State: U.S. military.
Turkey's Kurds call for self-rule amid violence in southeast. Turkish Kurds demand autonomy as Ankara continues crackdown in southeast.
Syria anti-IS documentary maker 'assassinated' in Turkey.
Iran official urges opposition to new US visa rules.
Hezbollah leader tells Israel to brace for retaliation over Qantar's death. Hezbollah leader tells Israel to brace for retaliation over Qantar's death.
Israeli government targets foreign government funding of NGOs. Concern in Israel over bill on foreign-funded NGOs.
ASIA
NATO, Afghan airstrikes hit Taliban targets in Sangin. Taliban captures more ground in Helmand, Afghanistan.
One killed, 33 wounded in Kabul suicide attack.
Filipino protesters land on disputed island in South China Sea. South China Sea: Filipino protesters land on disputed island. China angered as Filipino protesters visit South China Sea island.
Bangladesh security unit kills two militants in raid on hideout.
South Korea, Japan agree to irreversibly end 'comfort women' row.
China passes controversial counter-terrorism law.
China Telecom chairman Chang Xiaobing under investigation.
AFRICA
Nigerian army repels Boko Haram attack near state capital: witnesses. Many feared dead in Nigeria after Boko Haram suicide attacks on Maiduguri. Boko Haram attacks key northeast city in Nigeria: residents.
About 20 killed in mosque bombing in northern Nigerian city.
Islamic extremists kill at least 15 Tuaregs in Mali's north.
Al Shabaab Islamists claim deadly ambush in northeastern Kenya.
Two female suicide bombers blow themselves up in Cameroon, no other deaths.
As Central Africans prepare to vote, major challenges still loom.
Morocco postpones opening of world's largest solar power project.
EUROPE
OSCE observers, journalists under fire in E. Ukraine.
Kremlin does not rule out phone contacts on Ukraine crisis in 'Normandy format' before year-end.
Russia hopes US to drop idea for forward basing of arms in Eastern Europe.
German politicians slam Greece over handling of refugee crisis.
Germany recruits 8,500 teachers for child refugees.
Corsica march: Hundreds defy protest ban after Muslim prayer hall attack.
Catalonia pro-independence party fails to agree on new leader. Catalan party delays key decision on backing separatist government.
France opens access to Nazi-collaboration era archives.
Britain sends in more troops as historic city floods.
Paris attacker Samy Amimour buried in unmarked grave.
AFP's person of the year: Angela Merkel.
AMERICAS
Extreme weather continues to slam Midwest, South as fatalities rise. Week of severe weather leaves at least 43 dead across seven states.
US Congress braces for round two of Iran fight.
In Paraguay, more flee worst floods in decades as levee creaks.
Mexico no closer to solving missing-students mystery.
Israel warns Brazil faces diplomatic downgrade unless it accepts settler as ambassador.
Former El Salvador footballer Pacheco murdered.
Puerto Rico governor says US changing view on status.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
North African al-Qaida says top figure killed in ambush.
Indictment: Alleged ISIS supporter tried to bomb Super Bowl.
Bin Laden's former bodyguard Nasser al-Bahri dies.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Oil prices weaken post-Christmas, U.S. crude defends premium over Brent. Oil falls to $37, near 11-year low, as excess supply weighs.
U.S. holiday retail sales grow a 'solid' 7.9 percent: MasterCard.
'Star Wars' crosses $1 billion globally at record pace.
The fantasy that this victory "is the most significant triumph for Iraq's U.S.-trained army" will continue to be peddled by the US mainstream media, despite the fact that it was primarily Iran-backed militias who got the job done. The Iran-Iraq Shi'ite allies will not allow any Sunni controlled areas in Iraq, which is what the US-Saudi-Turkey coalition wants.
ReplyDeleteSo Ramadi is a big victory for Iran, big loss for US, who allowed ISIS to go into Ramadi earlier without any air force opposition.
http://warisaracket.org/ramadiparade.jpg
It appears to be a victory unless their is some Mannstein counterstroke or if a subsequent IS offensive retakes it in the next 6 months.
ReplyDeleteI just don't know how much Turkey is supporting IS, so it is hard to tell if IS ia truly on the ropes.