Iraqi forces push deeper in IS-held Ramadi

Iraqi security forces on Saturday moved deeper into the heart of the city of Ramadi, where they have been fighting for five days in fierce clashes against the Islamic State (IS) militants, a local security source said.

The security forces with paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters, backed by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition aircraft, have liberated the Houz district after heavy clashes with IS militants, bringing the troops closer to the adjacent government complex in central Ramadi, some 110 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, the source told Xinhua.

The latest troops' advance was substantial for the Iraqi security forces and allied paramilitary units, as it gives them control over the key city of Ramadi, despite the fact that the surrounding neighborhoods are still captured by IS militants and dotted with roadside bombs and booby-trapped buildings, the source said.

"The air strikes were very powerful and accurate, and were instrumental in regaining ground, as they helped detonate bombs and killing large number of IS militants," the source said.

The recapture of Houz district, which stretches from the southern part of Ramadi to central city, came after two days of clashes and heavy air strikes against IS militants.

Meanwhile, the security forces and allied Sunni tribal units, backed by artillery, tanks and aircraft, made a significant advance in Albu Farraj area, which lies across Euphrates River in northern Ramadi, when the troops pushed deeper toward the city center, the source said.

On Tuesday, Iraq's Joint Operations Command announced that the security forces launched a major offensive to complete the capture of Ramadi and managed to seize the districts of al-Bakr, Dhubbat and Aramel, in southwestern part of the city after fierce clashes with IS affiliates.

On Saturday, Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said "Iraqi forces are close to free Ramadi" and pledged that "during the next days, Iraqi forces will free the IS-held territories in the provinces of Anbar, as well as Salahudin and Nineveh."

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

The troops have been fighting for months to retake control of key cities and towns in Iraq's largest province of Anbar from the IS militants, who have seized most of Anbar and tried to advance towards Baghdad. Endit