Iraqi forces launch offensive to free IS-held Ramadi

Iraq’s armed forces stormed the center of Ramadi on Tuesday to try to dislodge Islamic State militants who have held the western city since May, a spokesman for the counter-terrorism units, Sabah al-Numani, said.

According to Iraqi intelligence, around 250 to 300 radical Islamist militants have captured the city center. The Iraqi air force and the global coalition are providing air support to troops on the ground and bombing IS targets.

Al Jazeera has more details about the ongoing operation to retake Ramadi, providing more analysis of the city’s strategic importance.

The latest offensive came as the security forces have recently made significant advance in Ta’mim district in Ramadi and in several areas on the edges of the city as part of their efforts to flush out IS militants from the city.

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has lost several key towns in Iraq since Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdish region started fighting back following the group’s devastating offensive 18 months ago.

The troops are backed by US-led coalition air strikes. Prior to that, the Iraqi army tried to cut off all supply lines to the city.

Iraqi military planes on Sunday dropped leaflets on Ramadi, asking residents to leave within 72 hours and indicating safe routes for their exit.

The city was one of “three R’s” identified as the core of a triple-pronged USA strategy against ISIS that Carter floated before US lawmakers in October.

Iraq’s defence minister, Khaled al-Obeidi, and other officials said in recent days they believed there were still a few civilians in Ramadi being used as human shields by IS.

Sporadic clashes are under way and Iraqi forces are being forced to remove roadside bombs the IS extremists had planted as they push forward, Mr al-Numan added.