BAGHDAD — Iraq has sent reinforcements to help its battered forces in Ramadi, a city now largely held by the Islamic State group after militants seized the main government compound the day before, a military spokesman said Saturday.
The spokesman of the Joint Operations Command, Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, told Iraqi state television that the U.S.-led coalition had been supporting Iraqi troops with “painful” airstrikes since late Friday.
On Friday, the militants swept through Ramadi, capital of the western Anbar province, in a coordinated offensive that included three near-simultaneous suicide car bombings. They seized the main government headquarters and other key parts of the city.
Local officials said dozens of security forces and civilians were killed, mainly the families of the troops. Ten police officers and 30 pro-government tribal fighters were among those killed.