The Heat: Iraq military success in Ramadi

Islamic Extremism

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed what he calls the “liberation” of Ramadi from Islamic State control. But his country still faces huge challenges to reclaim all of its territory.

After a seven-month siege, the Iraqi city of Ramadi is mostly back in control of Iraqi security forces. Thousands of ground troops successfully pushed out Islamic State fighters and have reclaimed 80 percent of the downtown area of Ramadi.

Iraqi forces are now working to secure the streets and free residents held hostage by jihadists. Islamic State still controls much of northern and western Iraq, including Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city. Al-Abadi vowed to free the country of Islamic State this year.

The Heat interviewed experts about the recent operation in Ramadi, where Iraqi Security forces managed to reclaim the city from Islamic State fighters:


  • Ambassador Samir Sumaida’ie. He served as Iraq’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and was Iraq’s first Ambassador to the United States.
  • Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie. He served as the Iraqi National Security Advisor and is currently a member of the Iraqi parliament.
  • Hiwa Osman. He’s an Iraqi Kurdish journalist and commentator.