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             Iraqi Forces Securing Ramadi After Ousting IS Fighters

   by VOA News

   Iraqi forces are carefully sweeping the streets of Ramadi Monday,
   searching for explosives and any other booby traps possibly set by
   Islamic State militants before they lost control of the city to the
   Iraqi military.

   Troops were working toward the center of the government compound after
   securing the area on Sunday.  IS militants had captured the city - the
   capital of Anbar province - in May.

   Iraqi forces have yet to declare total victory as pockets of jihadists
   may remain.  Authorities say, however, the troops faced no resistance
   since jihadists fled on Sunday. There have been no reliable casualty
   reports.

   Is it also still not clear how many civilians remain in central Ramadi,
   100 kilometers west of Baghdad.  But an Iraqi spokesman has said most
   residents had taken shelter at a nearby hospital.

   ''

   After months of preparation, Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led coalition
   airstrikes pushed into the center of the city last week in a concerted
   effort to recapture the city from Islamic state fighters.

   The U.S. military said it carried out at least 29 airstrikes on IS
   targets in the past week, with more targets hit on Sunday.

   Officials said airstrikes Saturday targeted vehicles operated by IS
   fighters and a factory used to make suicide bombs attached to
   vehicles.  Sniper positions also were hit.
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   sting-is-fighters/3121165.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iraqi-forces-securing-ramadi-after-ousting-is-fighters/3121165.html