ISIL Captures Government Compound in Ramadi

ISIL today seized the main government compound in the center of Ramadi and raised its flag over the central building. Iraqi security forces are reportedly remaining only in a few pockets in the city. The city, however, is still contested. There has been a flurry of U.S.-led airstrikes on ISIL positions in last several hours. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a televised address that security forces “will retake Ramadi in the next few hours.”

Capture of the government compound and the city center is a huge victory for ISIL. The fall of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar, will be their biggest victory in Iraq since they captured Mosul nearly a year ago.

Photo credit: ISIL flags at government compound in the center of Ramadi, Iraq; 15 May 2015 (AJE)