伊拉克安全部队从IS手中夺回拉马迪市中心

Iraqi security forces have retaken control of most Ramadi's downtown area from ISIL, as the jihadist's grip on the city loosens.

The Police Chief of Anbar province, Major General Hadi al-Rzayej, says that Iraqi counter-terrorism forces and the provincial police force had dealt a heavy blow to the ISIL militants.

The joint military operation to recapture the capital of Iraq's largest province began at the start of last month. But while the majority of Islamic State militants have been killed, a small number continue to resist. Around 200 jihadists are carrying out counterattacks against government forces in the east of Ramadi.

The news follows the seizure of the city's governmental administration complex by Iraqi forces on December 27th. Fighting has been ongoing since then to retake the rest of the city, which fell into the hands of the militant group last May.