US commends Iraqi forces' progress in Ramadi

U.S.State Department spokesman Mark Toner on Monday congratulated Iraqi forces on retaking the city of Ramadi from Islamic State forces.U.S.STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, MARK TONER ... "We can commend, rather, the government of Iraq and the brave Iraqi forces that have displayed such tremendous perseverance as well as courage in the fight to return Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, back to the Iraqi people." "Now the second part of this very hard process comes into play which is creating an environment where all people can return to their homes."

Iraq flew its flag above the main government complex in the western city of Ramadi, marking its military's first major victory over Islamic State since the army collapsed in the face of the fighters' shock advance 18 months ago. If the government retains control of Ramadi, which was seized by Islamic State fighters in May, it would become the first city recaptured by Iraq's U.S.-trained army since it fled from the hard-line militants in June 2014. According to a White House official, the United States and its coalition partners had supported the operation with more than 630 air strikes and training and equipment.