FOX News: Ramadi not 'fully liberated' from ISIS, Iraqi general says
Iraqi government forces scored a major victory when they took control from ISIS of the central government complex in the city of Ramadi on Monday.
But even as one Iraqi military spokesperson unequivically said earlier Monday that Ramadi had been "liberated," the head of Iraqi military operations in Anbar province cautioned against celebrating too early.
"The troops only entered the government complex," Gen. Ismail al-Mahlawi said. "We can't say that Ramadi is fully liberated. There are still neighborhoods under their control and there are still pockets of resistance."
That assessment contradicted Joint Operations Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rahsool's statement earlier in the day, that "Yes, the city of Ramadi has been liberated."
MIDDLE EAST
Iraq PM vows to defeat IS in 2016 after army's first major victory.
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. Iran threatens response to new U.S. visa restrictions. New Iran sanctions fight looms in 2016.
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.
Saudi Arabia posts $98B deficit, raises petrol prices. Saudi posts record deficit, cuts fuel subsidies.
ASIA
Japan, wary of outsiders, keeps doors closed to refugees.
Hopeful signs of reconciliation in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine State.
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.
China police detain 12 in connection with landslide disaster.
Murder conviction in Thailand prompts protests, tension with Myanmar.
AFRICA
Burkina troops arrested 'over plot to free coup chief'.
South Sudan rebels urge President to rescind new states decree.
Italy promises support to future Libyan premier.
Burundi peace talks underway in Uganda. Burundi sides split on peacekeepers at start of talks.
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
Spain's Socialists reject coalition deal with any party urging Catalan referendum.
Catalonia pro-independence party fails to agree on new leader. Catalan party delays key decision on backing separatist government.
Three killed in breach of Ukraine holiday truce. OSCE observers, journalists under fire in E. Ukraine.
Russian rabbi slams Ukraine president for ‘using Jewish card’.
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.
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
Deaths, mass evacuations in South America floods.
Storms snarl U.S travel, threaten rare winter tornadoes. Extreme weather continues to slam Midwest, South as fatalities rise. Week of severe weather leaves at least 43 dead across seven states.
Honduras braces for US deportation of its citizens.
New Iran sanctions fight looms in Washington in 2016.
In final year, Obama encourages staff to 'stay on offense'.
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.
The family of Alan Kurdi arrives today in Canada as refugees.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
France's war on al-Qaida in Africa (Video).
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
Wall Street loses ground as oil decline deepens.
Amazon boss reveals plans to make 16 feature films a year and says 'Now I want an Oscar'.
Wall Street’s forecast for 2016: Worse than 2015’s.
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.
Urban combat is extremely difficult. Every street and every building is a challenge, unless the opposing force just carpet-bombs the city, as the U.S. did in Korbane, Syria. [google korbane- images] Apparently, to its credit, Iraq didn't want to do that. After all Ramadi belongs to Iraq, and Korbane didn't belong to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteSpeed matters more than a shell of a building.
ReplyDeleteAssuming no civilians use thermobaric.
ISIS already has gone Gestapo on some of its soldiers, who tried to desert.
Ramadi falls several weeks and a few hundred ISIS fighters melt away, it gives them some courage. If they fold in a few days from a brutal onslaught, the will break and other elsewhere will waver or desert.