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                Iraqi Troops Continue Assault to Reclaim Ramadi

   by VOA News

   Iraqi troops continued fighting Wednesday in the city of Ramadi, where
   they are trying to reverse a major loss from earlier this year and
   reclaim the area from Islamic State militants.

   The offensive is in its second day with a focus on the city's
   government complex.  Iraqi officials have expressed optimism that
   security forces will be in control of Ramadi within several days.

   A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition that is backing Iraqi troops
   with airstrikes against Islamic State targets, Colonel Steve Warren,
   was more cautious in assessing the mission, saying Tuesday that while
   recapturing Ramadi was "inevitable," it would be a tough fight and take
   "some time."

   He said there were believed to be between 250 and 350 militants in the
   city and several hundred more in nearby areas.

   ''

   Coalition warplanes have been targeting Ramadi for several weeks with
   dozens of airstrikes, including targets on the outer edges of the city
   on Tuesday.  Warren said those strikes continue to show Islamic State
   fighters that they have nowhere to hide.

   The loss of Ramadi in May was a major setback for the Iraqi government
   and the army.  The effort to retake the city located 100 kilometers
   west of the capital, Baghdad, has taken months with fighting on the
   outskirts and work to cut off militant supply lines running into
   Ramadi.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/iraqi-troops-continue-assault-to-recl
   aim-ramadi/3115151.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iraqi-troops-continue-assault-to-reclaim-ramadi/3115151.html