Iraqi government forces continue to battle ISIL militants as they fight to retake the rest of Ramadi from the Islamic State group. An Iraqi official said the troops, aided by US-led coalition airstrikes, have recaptured about 85 percent of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province.
"Currently, about 200 to 250 militants continue to hold out in several areas in the city. Compared with the 4,000 extremists mentioned in a report we received from the U.S. army before the military operation, we believe this number suggests that Daesh has been dealt a major blow. The airstrikes have played a big part in it," said Sabah Al-Numan, Spokesperson of Iraqi Special Operation Forces.
On Friday, ISIL militants launched an attack against government forces about 40 kilometers north of Ramadi. The government troops later successfully repelled the assault.
Al-Numan said the troops destroyed six explosive-laden ISIL vehicles and killed a number of suicide bombers in the clash. The government forces suffered no deaths or injuries. He added that this marked another failed attempt by the militants to break the government siege.
And the official said multiple forces, including the Special Operations Forces and counter-terror squads, are closing in on east Ramadi, adding that they are well prepared to repel any future attack by the ISIL militants.
