Iraqi forces seek to surround ISIS-held Ramadi

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The spokesman of the Shiite militias fighting with the Iraqi government said the forces have advanced in areas of Salahadin province in preparation for an attack on the ISIS-held city of Ramadi to be carried out in coordination with the Iraqi Army.

“Our fighters have pushed toward Ramadi in order to surround it and put more pressure on ISIS militants in Anbar province and in the coming days the forces will attack the center of Ramadi,” said Karim Nouri, spokesman for the Hashdi al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Units, as the Shiite militias are known.

On a different military front, the head of Babil province security committee  said Iraqi forces deployed in the Khalidiya and Habbanya areas will also participate in campaign to liberate Ramadi and the center of Anbar province.

“Five military regiments have been sent to Anbar and 36km inside the province to control the city and towns around the city. Those forces had a big role in clearing the Garma area from ISIS militants,” Falah Khafaji, of the Babil committee, said.