The fight for the city involved Iraqi and U.S.-led airstrikes as well as Islamic State bombings. Stoltenberg said NATO leaders this week will also agree to begin training and capacity-building measures for the Iraqi military inside Iraq, expanding an alliance program that has been training Iraqi officers in Jordan. The towns have been besieged since last year, with aid convoys allowed only sporadically to replenish food and medical stocks. The International Committee of the Red Cross, meanwhile, released drone footage showing extensive damage to the Iraqi city of Ramadi, which was taken back from the Islamic State in December after heavy fighting. Madaya and Zabadani, just outside the capital, are encircled by pro-government forces, while rebels are blockading Foua and Kefraya.

Source: Washington Post July 04, 2016 21:22 UTC