Islamic State militants have seized the main government building in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's largest province. As many as six suicide car bombs and mortars were used in the assault on the compound that houses the main police HQ and governor's office.At least 50 security personnel are reported to have been taken prisoner at the site. IS and Iraqi troops have been battling for months to take control of the strategically important Anbar province.
The attack by IS militants began overnight when the suicide car bombs were driven into compound housing a number of government buildings, killing at least 10 people and wounding a number of others. Fighting continued into Friday and by 14:00 (11:00 GMT) the black flag of IS was seen flying over the complex.
IS "now occupies the government centre in Ramadi and has also raised its flag over the police HQ for Anbar", a police major told the AFP news agency. The militant group itself issued a statement confirming it had taken control of the complex and said it had killed an unspecified number of pro-government fighters.
Fifty police officers are known to have been taken prisoner in the assault, but reports that they have been summarily executed are unconfirmed.
BBC
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