Iraqi government forces recaptured a university campus today on the outskirts of Ramadi from the Islamic State group, seizing a key position for any offensive to retake the city, officials said.
Iraqi forces had recaptured parts of Anbar University in May, shortly after losing the provincial capital to the jihadists, but later pulled back.
The university was retaken by elite forces from Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), known as the “Golden Brigade”.
“The Golden Brigade managed to liberate Anbar University with backing from the army as well as air support from the coalition and Iraqi aircraft,” Brigadier General Abdelamir al-Khazraji, deputy commander of CTS forces in Anbar, said.
“Our forces liberated the university early today and now have full control of it, following a week of fierce clashes,” he told AFP.