22 December 2015, 10:29 GMT
BAGHDAD (Sputnik) – The aviation forces of the US-led international coalition against Daesh (Islamic State), together with the Iraqi Air Force, police and local militias are supporting the Iraqi Army in its offensive to reclaim the city of Ramadi from Daesh, Iraqi Army spokesman Yahya Rasoul Abdullah told Sputnik on Tuesday.
The Iraqi armed forces began an operation, earlier on Tuesday, to liberate the center of Ramadi from Daesh terrorists, who have occupied the city since May. According to Iraqi intelligence, around 250 to 300 radical Islamist militants have captured the city center.
"Iraqi Air Force, coalition aircraft, police from Anbar Province and representatives of tribes are supporting the offensive," Abdullah said.
Abdullah stressed that the Iraqi Army was aware of the whereabouts of civilians and the location of terrorist positions.
Iraqi soldiers advance their position in northern Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 21, 2015
© AP Photo
Daesh is a terrorist organization outlawed in many countries including Russia. The US-led coalition launched aerial operations against the militants in Iraq in 2014.
