WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — “The coalition has provided steadfast support to the Iraqi government to enable them to fight and win against ISIL [Islamic State],” Warren stated. “Coalition support included more than 630 airstrikes.”
Warren congratulated the Iraqi security forces on their advancement calling the clearance of the government center a “significant success.” According to Iraqi intelligence, around 250 to 300 radical Islamist militants had been holding central districts of the city.
The spokesperson noted that the coalition had trained several Iraqi army brigades, along with local police forces, to take up the fight, and provided specialized engineering equipment to clear the area from explosive devices.
The Islamic State, also known as Daesh, is a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries; it has seized large areas in Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate on territories under its control.
