Baghdad Will Follow Ramadi, Says Islamic State

Islamic State fighters seized Ramadi on May 17, gaining control of the contested al-Anbar province and a strategic supplies route to Baghdad. The Iraqi government launched a campaign to seize control of Anbar in April, backed by the US-led coalition. Footage released on May 18 by IS is described as showing locals in Mosul celebrating the capture of Ramadi. Audio in the video is described as being the voice of IS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

At 00.19 into the footage he can be heard saying, “We have plucked al-Anbar from the eyes of the apostates, against the will of the United States and its allies.” Credit: Islamic State Mandate of Nineveh