Islamic State Siege of Ramadi Sparks Mass Exodus

Islamic State (IS) militants reportedly seized Anbar province’s capital Ramadi in an overnight assault, flying their black flag over the compound of the police headquarters and governor’s office on May 15. Several suicide car bombs and mortars were used in the attack on security buildings, with dozens of police and at least 20 civilians killed in the fighting.

Scenes of residents fleeing the city circulated on social media on Friday. This video shows people running down a street, some carrying a few belongings with them.

Security forces have been fighting IS for months in Anbar, Iraq’s largest province, stretching from the Syrian borders almost to Baghdad. Security forces stepped up air strikes on Friday in response to the siege. Credit: YouTube/IraqHurr, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty