Iraqi military command announced on Tuesday the liberation of areas east of Ramadi, and the reopening of the highway linking the major city of Anbar province to the capital of Baghdad.

Iraqi military command announced on Tuesday the liberation of areas east of Ramadi, and the reopening of the highway linking the major city of Anbar province to the capital of Baghdad.

"The armed forces, in cooperation with the anti-terror apparatus and the Eighth and Ninth units, as well as the Anbar police contingents and the popular volunteers, have fought a courageous battle, during which your brave sons taught ISIL gangs memorable lessons," a military statement said, in reference to the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' takfiri group.
   
"They [Iraqi soldiers and fighters] managed to liberate the areas in east of Ramadi, and coordinated with the REACT Task Force to liberate the towns of Al-Sajariah, Joabah, East Husaybah and the surroundings areas," it added.
 
Earlier in late December, the anti-terror apparatus seized control over Ramadi's city center after encircling the city from the west and south, while the army was laying siege to the city from the north.
   
The eastern region, which includes a number of agricultural and overlapping areas, remained besieged from both sides, before being cleared Tuesday and the road being completely opened.
 
The army statement noted that "the troops are now advancing firmly with determination to chase the defeated enemy, and managed to open the Baghdad-Ramadi road through Khalidiya district."
 
 "The victory has been achieved and all fronts of Ramadi have been liberated," the statement read, noting the great effort of the Iraqi armed forces in evacuating citizens during the fighting.