Iraq begins offensive to retake Ramadi

BEIRUT – Iraqi military and other pro-government forces on Tuesday launched an offensive, spearheaded by Shiite Muslim militias, to recapture Ramadi from Islamic State fighters who seized the city last week.

The state-run media quoted the military command saying “wide-ranging” operations commenced to “liberate” Ramadi, about 60 miles west of Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.

There were no immediate reports of major battles along an extensive front line that has been experiencing periodic skirmishes since the Qaida breakaway faction overran Ramadi, sending pro-government forces scattering.

The loss of Ramadi was a major setback for the U.S.-backed government of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Although pro-government forces outnumbered the attackers, Iraqi soldiers abandoned their fighting positions in Ramadi, leaving behind heavy weapons and ammunition for the extremists.

In a BBC interview this week, al-Abadi vowed to take back Ramadi within days.