Iraq: Islamic State (IS) extremists capture Ramadi government headquarters
Security forces defend their headquarters against Islamic State extremists during a sandstorm in Ramadi. (AP)
Islamic State militants have captured the main government compound in Ramadi after fierce clashes with Iraqi security forces, officials said.
The city’s mayor Dalaf al-Kubaisi said the militants raised the black flag of IS over the area after troops were forced to withdraw from the compound, which houses most of the city’s government offices.
He says the IS militants are now attacking the Anbar Operation Command, the military headquarters for the province.
US troops saw some of the heaviest fighting of the eight-year Iraq intervention in Anbar, and Ramadi was a major insurgent stronghold.