Iraqi security forces have reportedly entered ISIS’s last stronghold in the central city of Ramadi. ISIS still has fighters to the north of the city, but Iraqi forces have retaken much of Ramadi and are looking to cut the supply route to ISIS ’s stronghold in Fallujah to the east of the city. The outcome is being seen as a huge success for the army, but it has come at a cost. It is reported that 150 soldiers have been killed in operations to retake the city, and that 80% of the city has been destroyed as a result of fighting. In Syria, government troops backed by Russian airstrikes managed to push back rebel groups who had taken over parts of Aleppo province from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In addition to Fallujah, ISIS also still controls Mosul, the country’s second-largest city.
Iraqi security forces have reportedly entered ISIS’s last stronghold in the central city of Ramadi. ISIS still has fighters to the north of the city, but Iraqi forces have retaken much of Ramadi and are looking to cut the supply route to ISIS’s stronghold in Fallujah to the east of the city. The outcome is being seen as a huge success for the army, but it has come at a cost. It is reported that 150 soldiers have been killed in operations to retake the city, and that 80% of the city has been destroyed as a result of fighting. ISIS captured the city in May 2015, and although the authorities announced that it had been retaken in December 2015, fighting has continued. In addition to Fallujah, ISIS also still controls Mosul, the country’s second-largest city.