Iran-Backed Shiite Militias Mobilize To Retake Iraq's Ramadi
BAGHDAD — Iranian-backed Shiite militias began mobilizing Monday to help retake the key Iraqi city of Ramadi after it fell to Islamic State militants over the weekend.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz called the capture of Ramadi a "setback," and the U.S. vowed to help Iraq reclaim it with continued airstrikes and military advice.
"We will retake Ramadi," said Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.
The fall of largely Sunni Ramadi is a stunning defeat for Iraqi security forces and military, which largely retreated Sunday in the government's biggest loss since last summer, when the Islamic State took control of Tikrit and Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq.
Iraq said its own security forces will also mount a counter-offensive to reclaim Ramadi.
Iran's Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan flew to Baghdad on a surprise visit for urgent talks with Iraqi leaders. Iran is a majority Shiite nation with close ties to the Iraqi militias, and also has been providing help to the Iraqi military.
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/18/shiite-militias-assemble-ramadi/27521381/