Britain congratulates Iraq on Ramadi recapture

'This is the latest in a series of significant losses for Daesh' Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond

KABUL / LONDON:

Britain on Monday congratulated Iraq after the city of Ramadi was recaptured from the Islamic State.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond congratulated the Iraqi government after the national flag was raised over the provincial capital of Anbar once it was liberated from Islamic State (Daesh) fighters.

"This is the latest in a series of significant losses for Daesh. These barbaric terrorists have lost 30 percent of the territory they once held in Iraq," Hammond said in a statement.

"They have been driven out of cities across the country by Iraqi forces, with support from the UK and the global coalition."

British jets have been striking Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria.

"The Royal Air Force's close air support operations around Ramadi in recent days have played a key role in the battle," Hammond said.

"We will continue to support the government of Iraq as it re-establishes the security, governance and services the people of Ramadi will need as they return to their city.

"This remains a long fight, but the coalition's strategy is succeeding. We will continue to stand with the Iraqi people until Daesh is defeated."

Fighters brandishing rifles danced in Ramadi as top commanders paraded through the streets after recapturing the city they lost to Islamic State in May.