Baghdad: Two weeks after declaring victory over ISIS in Ramadi, Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces have pushed militants out to its eastern suburbs, but bombs littering the streets are holding up efforts to rebuild the city, officials said.
Ramadi, the largest city retaken by government forces, was touted as the first major success for Iraq's army since it collapsed in the face of ISIS's lightning advance across the country's north and west 18 months ago.
But almost all the city remains off-limits to its residents, most of whom fled before the army advance, said security services.
"The security forces are advancing to a large degree inside Ramadi. Most areas are now under their control," Anbar governor Sohaib al-Rawi said on Saturday at a temporary government complex southeast of the city.
"Most of the streets in Ramadi are mined with explosives so it requires large efforts and expertise," he added.
The counter-terrorism forces which spearheaded the military campaign to retake the capital of western Anbar province are securing only main streets and buildings considered tactically important, security sources said.
They have built up earth banks at the entrance of central neighbourhoods deemed clear of militants but still laden with explosives, and marked many buildings' exteriors as "mined", the sources added.
The United Nations Development Programme is still waiting for the green light from the Iraqi government to enter the city and start work to rebuild it.
Ramadi, the largest city retaken by government forces, was touted as the first major success for Iraq's army since it collapsed in the face of ISIS's lightning advance across the country's north and west 18 months ago.
But almost all the city remains off-limits to its residents, most of whom fled before the army advance, said security services.
"Most of the streets in Ramadi are mined with explosives so it requires large efforts and expertise," he added.
Advertisement
They have built up earth banks at the entrance of central neighbourhoods deemed clear of militants but still laden with explosives, and marked many buildings' exteriors as "mined", the sources added.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2016
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Pak's ISI Plotting With Khalistani Terror Group To Disrupt Amarnath Yatra: Officials Indian Envoy Assures Support To Bring Back Body Of Citizen Killed In Oman Mosque Shooting ISIS Claims Responsibility For Oman Mosque Attack Kamala Harris Cuts Down Donald Trump's Lead Sharply, Show Latest Polls Centre Fact-Checks Mamata Banerjee's Mic-Off Claim, She Hits Back At Olympics Opening Ceremony, Drag Parody Of 'The Last Supper' Draws Flak As Racist Attacks Fly, Republicans Grapple With How To Take On Harris Woman Maoist Carrying Rs 8 Lakh Reward Surrenders In Maharashtra Gaganyaan Astronaut To Travel To Space Station In Joint Nasa Mission Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.