Key Iraqi City Of Ramadi 'Falls To IS'

Iraqi troops abandon their weapons and flee as Islamic State flushes out the last pockets of resistance in the cityhe Iraqi city of Ramadi has been captured by Islamic State after days of intense fighting and bombings by the terror group, officials say. "Ramadi has fallen," said Muhannad Haimour, spokesman for the governor of Anbar province.
"The city was completely taken ... It was a gradual deterioration. The military is fleeing."
He also confirmed the provincial command centre in the city had fallen into enemy hands.
A colonel among troops who had withdrawn added: "Daesh has just taken full control of all main security bases", using an Arabic acronym for IS.
But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered government forces to "hold their positions".
He called on troops, tribesmen and other elite forces to push the militants out of Ramadi.
A purported message by Islamic State on a jihadist internet forum also appeared to confirm the city was firmly in its grip.
"God has enabled the soldiers of the caliphate to cleanse all of Ramadi," read the message.
One officer inside the captured command base described being surrounded, with mortars "raining down" and IS fighters "in almost every street".
Local television also reported that Iraq's prime minister, Haider al Abadi, is sending in Shia militias and has urged troops to hold their positions until they arrive.


They earlier people realise that this fight is spiritual the better nations need to seek the face of God with repentance and God will have mercy