IS puts up heavy fight to slow Iraqi troop advance on Ramadi

In this Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 photo, smoke rises from Islamic State positions following a U.S.-led coalition airstrike as Iraqi Security forces advance their position in downtown Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi forces entered the Huz at dawn, an area housing a government compound in the center of Ramadi, part of a major offensive aimed at dislodging the Islamic State terrorist militia from the western city, an Iraqi official said. (AP Photo) In this Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 photo, smoke rises from Islamic State positions following a U.S.-led coalition airstrike as Iraqi Security forces advance their position in downtown Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi forces entered the Huz at dawn, an area housing a government compound in the center of Ramadi, part of a major offensive aimed at dislodging the Islamic State terrorist militia from the western city, an Iraqi official said. (AP Photo)

By Associated Press December 27, 2015 1 min read

BAGHDAD (AP) – A senior Iraqi commander says Islamic State fighters are putting up a tough fight in the militant-held city of Ramadi, slowing down the advance of Iraqi forces.

Iraq launched a long-awaited operation to recapture the Anbar provincial capital but after an initial push across the Euphrates River, their progress stalled.

Gen. Ismail al-Mahlawi, said Sunday that the advance is hampered by suicide bombers, snipers and booby traps. He says Iraqi troops “need days” to get to the city’s central government complex.

Al-Mahlawi, head of the Anbar military operations, says Iraqi troops are now about one kilometer (half mile) from the complex.

Another officer says the Iraqi army has yet to fully control a single Ramadi neighborhood. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he isn’t authorized to talk to reporters.