WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Sunday, the Islamic State took control of the Sunni-dominated provincial capital of Ramadi, some 70 miles from Baghdad.
Hundreds of Iraqi security forces were killed and many more fled, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to call in on Monday Shiite militias to the outskirts of Ramadi to protect the capital and Shia cities to the south.
"Coalition airstrikes continued across Iraq including eight strikes in Ramadi,” Coalition Public Affairs Chief Col. Wayne Marotto said.
“We are continuing to monitor reports of the fluid and contested situation in and around Ramadi. We have always known the fight would be long and difficult, particularly in Anbar.”
