US hails recapture of Ramadi by 'brave Iraqi forces'

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Monday welcomed the Iraqi forces  victory over the Islamic State group in the city of Ramadi.

"We commend the government of Iraq and the brave Iraqi forces that are displaying tremendous perseverance and courage in this fight," Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Iraq had earlier declared that it had liberated Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province west of Baghdad, and was sweeping it for bombs and booby traps left behind by IS fighters.

A US-led military coalition is supporting Iraq s campaign to drive the Islamic State group from the country and carried out 630 air strikes during the Iraqi operation in Ramadi.

A White House official said President Barack Obama, who is on vacation in Hawaii, had been briefed on the battle and had saluted the Iraqi forces  "courage and determination."

"We will continue to support our partners fighting against ISIL on the ground until it is defeated," the official said.

Concerns have been expressed that the militia units that supported the government offensive may mistreat the civilians living in liberated Anbar cities.

But Washington welcomed the victory, which Iraq s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said was a step towards the next campaign to liberate the northern city of Mosul in 2016.

"The United States and the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL have proudly supported this effort with training, advice, and equipment as well as precision air strikes," Kerry said.

"That support will continue as the mission in Ramadi is completed and we prepare for post-conflict stabilization."

General Lloyd Austin, head of US Central Command which is overseeing the US role in the campaign, said the fall of Ramadi "clearly demonstrates that the enemy is losing momentum as they steadily cede territory."

"Looking ahead, I expect our partners on the ground in both Iraq and Syria, with coalition assistance, to continue to roll back ISIL gains as we work together to defeat this enemy," he added.