On Tuesday, Iraqi state television announced that Iraqi security forces, Shiite militias, and Sunni paramilitary forces have launched an expected offensive to dislodge Islamic State from western Anbar province. ISIS captured the provincial capital Ramadi, 70 miles from Baghdad, earlier in May.
Iraq is putting a brave face on the setback, with Shiite militia spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi predicting that the counter-offensive will "not last a long time" and saying that Iraqi forces have Ramadi surrounded on three sides, and are using new weapons "that will surprise the enemy." Iraqi commanders are also complaining that the U.S. isn't using its air power boldly enough, The New York Times reports, specifically as ISIS was attacking Ramadi. The U.S. says it has been limiting its aerial targets to prevent civilian casualties.
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