Iraqi commander says troops still encircling government complex in IS-held city of Ramadi
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A military commander says government troops are still encircling the local government complex in the Islamic State-held city of Ramadi.
Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Belawi told The Associated Press on Monday that the militants stopped firing at the troops at around 8:00 a.m. from inside the complex and that "we believe that they were either killed or fled."
Fearful of possible booby traps or suicide bombers holed up inside the complex, al-Belawi said that troops were calling in engineering teams before entering. He expects to take over the complex "in the coming hours."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The capital of Anbar province, Ramadi was taken by IS militants in May in a major blow to government efforts to recapture lands under the group's control. IS holds about a third of Iraq and Syria.