AP Photo
Islamic State militants have taken control over the main government building in the area of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s largest province.
As many as six suicide car bombs and mortars were utilised in the assault on the compound that houses the main police- headquarters and the governor’s ministry. Around 50 police officers have been reportedly captured at the site. The latest and gruesome attack comes a day later the IS releasing an audio clip claiming it to be their leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi’s voice, whom the nation of Iraq had declared to be terminally wounded in an airstrike.
The militants and the Iraqi soldiers have been battling for months to take control of the strategically important and famous Anbar province. The raid was apparently launched as an overnight attack, with the militants driving the cars to the compound. Casualties have occurred along with at the least a handful of cops being killed instantly, with many others being wounded.
The White House said on Friday US Vice-President Joe Biden had spoken to Iraq’s PM Haidar al-Abadi and vowed to deliver heavy weaponry, including shoulder-held rockets and additional ammunition, as well as supplies to the Iraqi forces. It pledged to do whatever was possible in its hands to fight against the militants. The nation, meanwhile, lies in shock.
