Iraqi forces reclaim Ramadi

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—The Iraqi army said Monday morning that it has defeated ISIS in Ramadi and controlled government buildings in the city center.

The city, 90 KM west of the capital Baghdad is said to have been cleared of Islamic State (ISIS) militants.

"The complex is under our complete control, there is no presence whatsoever of [IS] fighters in the complex,” Reuters news agency quoted the military spokesman, Sabah al-Numani.

The Iraqi army backed by US aircraft launched a major offensive to retake this Sunni city from ISIS seven months after it fell to the radical group.

Sporadic resistance by militants could still be heard in parts of the city.

The army advance into the city has been slow due to explosives and booby traps laid by the militants on the roads and homes.

The Iraqi army announced that the capture of the government complex in the city center marks the end of ISIS control there.

"By controlling the complex this means that they have been defeated in Ramadi. The next step is to clear pockets that could exist here or there in the city." al-Numani said.