MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The western provinces of the country have become a battlefield between Iraqi government forces and ISIL fighters.
Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, was attacked by the jihadists in 2014 before being captured in February, 2015. Government forces succeeded to liberate the city in March, but withdrew two months later.
“The operation with the aim of capturing [of Ramadi] was started from the southern and western parts of the city after significant reinforcements arrived from Baghdad and other provinces to the Anbar province,” Falih Essawi, deputy head of Anbar's provincial council, said.
In July, Iraqi armed forces launched a large-scale operation to roll back ISIL insurgency in Anbar province, however, its capital is still controlled by the jihadists.
