Iranian FM Congratulates Iraq on Liberation of Ramadi
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif offered his congratulations to the Iraqi nation over the liberation of the Arab country’s central city of Ramadi from the ISIL terrorist group.
In a message to Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari on Tuesday, Zarif praised the recent victory of the Iraqi army and popular forces in retaking the strategic city from the ISIL Takfiri terrorists and congratulated the Iraqi nation and government on the achievement.
He further expressed confidence that "in light of the continued unity and national solidarity of the Iraqi nation" and the braveries of the country’s forces, including Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, other parts of the country will also be cleared from Takfiri terrorists in the near future.
Victory in Ramadi, which was seized by ISIL in May, is the first major triumph for Iraq’s army since it collapsed in the face of an assault by the hardline militants 18 months ago.
Iraqi forces launched an assault on the city last week and made a final push to seize the central administration complex on Sunday. Their progress had been slowed by explosives planted in streets and booby-trapped buildings.
The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since ISIL began an offensive through Iraqi territory in June 2014. Army soldiers and Popular Mobilization units have joined forces and are seeking to take back militant-held regions in joint operations.