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Iraqi forces retake Islamic State Ramadi stronghold Iraq forces in 'full control' of central Ramadi
(about 1 hour later)
Iraqi forces have retaken a former government compound in Ramadi from where Islamic State (IS) group militants have been resisting an army offensive, the military has said. Iraqi officials say they believe the army is now in "full control" of central Ramadi, where Islamic State has been resisting an army offensive.
The complex was "under complete control" and there was no sign of IS fighters, a spokesman said. However, a spokesman for the governor of Anbar province said they were "careful in declaring victory" as "pockets of resistance" remained.
He said this heralded the defeat of IS in the city, although he admitted there could be pockets of resistance. The military said earlier that troops had retaken a former government compound in the strategic city.
The government has been trying to retake Ramadi for weeks. The Iraqi government has been trying to retake Ramadi for weeks.
The mainly Sunni Arab city, about 55 miles (90km) west of Baghdad, fell to IS in May, and was seen as an embarrassing defeat for the army.The mainly Sunni Arab city, about 55 miles (90km) west of Baghdad, fell to IS in May, and was seen as an embarrassing defeat for the army.
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"We believe that we do have full control of the centre of Ramadi," Muhannad Haimour, the spokesman for the Anbar governor, told the BBC's Newsday programme.
"But we're being very careful in declaring victory until we have an official announcement from the prime minister's office."
Mr Muhannad said that would mean that area had been cleared of explosives, adding that officials now believed that IS militants were not "capable of launching any attacks on the security forces".
The spokesman described the remaining pockets of resistance as "very weak".
In recent days, troops have been picking their way through booby-trapped streets and buildings as they pushed towards the city centre, seizing several districts on the way.In recent days, troops have been picking their way through booby-trapped streets and buildings as they pushed towards the city centre, seizing several districts on the way.
After sniper fire from the compound stopped and aerial surveillance detected no human activity, Iraqi soldiers moved in. Iraqi soldiers moved in to retake the former government compound after sniper fire stopped and aerial surveillance detected no human activity.
The military spokesman, Sabah al-Numani, told Reuters: "The complex is under our complete control, there is no presence whatsoever of [IS] fighters in the complex.The military spokesman, Sabah al-Numani, told Reuters: "The complex is under our complete control, there is no presence whatsoever of [IS] fighters in the complex.
"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." "By controlling the complex, this means that they have been defeated in Ramadi."
Analysis: BBC's Thomas Fessy in Baghdad Analysis: Thomas Fessy, BBC News, Baghdad
Controlling this compound is key to retaking Ramadi. Iraqi soldiers are slowly clearing it as they fear it may have been rigged to explode.Controlling this compound is key to retaking Ramadi. Iraqi soldiers are slowly clearing it as they fear it may have been rigged to explode.
Troops are also busy in the surrounding neighbourhood, where pockets of resistance remain.Troops are also busy in the surrounding neighbourhood, where pockets of resistance remain.
The authorities will hail this week's offensive as a success - in stark contrast with the security forces' hasty retreat from Ramadi last May.The authorities will hail this week's offensive as a success - in stark contrast with the security forces' hasty retreat from Ramadi last May.
However, it took months to mount this ground campaign, in co-ordination with coalition air strikes.However, it took months to mount this ground campaign, in co-ordination with coalition air strikes.
There had been no clear indications of the number of IS militants who had been defending the city, although some reports put it at about 400. No official toll of Iraqi army casualties has been given.There had been no clear indications of the number of IS militants who had been defending the city, although some reports put it at about 400. No official toll of Iraqi army casualties has been given.
The Iraqi military believes the remaining militants have headed north-east; with fighting also reported to be under way to the south-west of the compound. The Iraqi military believes the remaining militants have headed north-east. Fighting is also reported south-west of the compound.
Gen Ismail al-Mahlawi, head of Anbar military operations, told Associated Press that the fighting had been tough given IS's use of suicide bombers, snipers and booby traps. Concern remains for hundreds of families trapped on the frontline.
Concern also remains for the plight of hundreds of families who have been trapped on the frontline.
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Although the full extent of the situation on the ground remains unclear, Agence France-Presse reported there had been celebrations on the streets of a number of Iraqi cities. Although the situation on the ground remains unclear, Agence France-Presse reported celebrations on the streets of a number of Iraqi cities.
The operation to recapture Ramadi began in early November, but made slow progress, mainly because the government chose not to use the powerful Shia-dominated paramilitary force that helped it regain the northern city of Tikrit, to avoid increasing sectarian tensions.The operation to recapture Ramadi began in early November, but made slow progress, mainly because the government chose not to use the powerful Shia-dominated paramilitary force that helped it regain the northern city of Tikrit, to avoid increasing sectarian tensions.