Loss of Ramadi to Islamic State a "setback", says U.S.

The White House on Monday acknowledged the fall of Ramadi as a "setback," but vowed to help the Iraqi security forces to retake the capital city of Anbar province from the Islamic State militants.

"Ramadi has been contested over the last 18 months," spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Camden, New Jersey. "There is no denying that this is indeed a setback."

A U.S.-led coalition had launched 32 airstrikes on the Islamic State targets in the past three weeks in support of the Iraqi forces' defense of Ramadi, with eight conducted in the past 24 hours, Schultz said.

The extremist group took full control of the city on Sunday after the Iraqi forces withdrew from their positions, press reports said.

"But there is also no denying that we will help the Iraqis take back Ramadi," Schultz said, adding U.S. aircraft will continue their search for Islamic State targets for more precision airstrikes until "Ramadi is retaken."

He also stressed that the White House was not exploring any new strategy to fight the militants.

"I don't have any new strategy to preview or that's under contemplation right now," he remarked, noting "There would be ebbs and flows in this fight."

"We still believe the strategy is working," Pentagon spokesman Steve Warren also told reporters on Monday. Endite