The Latest: US-led airstrikes pound IS near Iraq’s Ramadi

British Prime Minister David Cameron, standing centre left, talks to lawmakers inside the House of Commons in London during a debate on launching airstrikes against Islamic State extremists inside Syria, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. The parliamentary vote is expected Wednesday evening. Opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, looks at papers sitting centre right opposite Cameron, who opposes any expansion of Britain's military role. (Parliamentary Recording Unit via AP Video) TV OUT - NO ARCHIVE

By Associated Press December 2, 2015 6 min read

LONDON (AP) – The latest developments regarding the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq: All times local.

3:30 p.m.

The U.S.-led coalition has been pounding Islamic State group targets near the militant-held Iraqi city of Ramadi. Iraqi forces have encircled Ramadi and this week asked the city’s civilian residents to leave – a sign that a major operation could be imminent.

The coalition says its aircraft conducted 15 airstrikes in Iraq on Wednesday, nine of them on IS targets near Ramadi, including fighting positions, vehicles, weapons and buildings. Also hit were IS group units and vehicles in Iraq’s north, outside the recently liberated town of Sinjar.

In Baghdad, coalition spokesman Col. Steve Warren says the strikes are in support of Iraqi operations to liberate Ramadi.