Iraqi Forces Secure Ramadi After Ousting IS

伊拉克部队从伊斯兰国手中夺回拉马迪市

Iraqi military officials said they took back the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants.

伊拉克官员表示，他们从伊斯兰国武装分子手中夺回了拉马迪这座城市。

On Monday, Iraqi forces raised the national flag over the city's main government office. They swept the streets, searching for explosives and booby traps. The IS fighters could have put these in place before being ousted from the city.

周一，伊拉克军队在该市的主要政府部门升起了国旗。他们清查了大街小巷寻找爆炸物和饵雷，伊斯兰国士兵在被从该市赶走之前可能安放了这些东西。

IS militants had captured this capital of Anbar province in May.

伊斯兰国武装分子于今年五月份占领了这座城市，该市是安巴尔省的首府。

Smoke rises over destroyed Islamic State positions following a U.S.-led coalition air strike, as Iraqi Security forces enter the heavy damaged downtown Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015. (AP Photo)

Iraqi forces said small groups of jihadists may remain. But officials said troops have not faced resistance since jihadists fled Sunday. There have been no reliable reports of how many people were killed or wounded.

伊拉克部队表示，可能还有一些小规模的圣战分子。但是有关官员表示，军队没有遇到任何阻力，因为圣战者在星期天已经逃离。目前尚没有可靠的伤亡报告。

It is not clear how many civilians remain in central Ramadi. It is 115 kilometers, or 70 miles west of Baghdad. An Iraqi spokesman said most residents had taken shelter at a nearby hospital.

目前尚不清楚拉马迪市中心还有多少平民。该市位于巴格达以西115公里(或70英里)。伊拉克一位发言人表示，大多户居民都在附近一所医院避难。

The Iraqi military prepared for months to take back Ramadi. They were backed by U.S.–led coalition air strikes. The Iraqi forces pushed into the center of Ramadi last week in an effort to secure the city.

伊拉克军队为夺回拉马迪筹备了数月。为了占领拉马迪，伊拉克军队上周在以美国为首的联军的空袭支持推进到了拉马迪市中心。

The U.S. military said it carried out at least 29 air strikes on IS targets in the past week. More targets were hit Sunday.

美国军方表示，过去一周他们至少对伊斯兰国目标进行了29次空袭。更多目标在周日被击中。

Officials said air strikes Saturday targeted vehicles operated by IS fighters and a factory used to make suicide bombs for use on vehicles. Sniper positions were also hit.

有关官员表示，周六的空袭目标是伊斯兰国士兵操控的车辆以及用于制造自杀性炸弹的装置。狙击手位置也被击中。

I'm Mary Gotschall.

我是玛丽·歌切尔。

Iraqi Forces Secure Ramadi After Ousting IS

Iraqi military officials said they took back the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants.

On Monday, Iraqi forces raised the national flag over the city's main government office. They swept the streets, searching for explosives and booby traps. The IS fighters could have put these in place before being ousted from the city.

IS militants had captured this capital of Anbar province in May.

Smoke rises over destroyed Islamic State positions following a U.S.-led coalition air strike, as Iraqi Security forces enter the heavy damaged downtown Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015. (AP Photo)

Iraqi forces said small groups of jihadists may remain. But officials said troops have not faced resistance since jihadists fled Sunday. There have been no reliable reports of how many people were killed or wounded.

It is not clear how many civilians remain in central Ramadi. It is 115 kilometers, or 70 miles west of Baghdad. An Iraqi spokesman said most residents had taken shelter at a nearby hospital.

The Iraqi military prepared for months to take back Ramadi. They were backed by U.S.–led coalition air strikes. The Iraqi forces pushed into the center of Ramadi last week in an effort to secure the city.

The U.S. military said it carried out at least 29 air strikes on IS targets in the past week. More targets were hit Sunday.

Officials said air strikes Saturday targeted vehicles operated by IS fighters and a factory used to make suicide bombs for use on vehicles.Sniper positions were also hit.

I'm Mary Gotschall.

Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

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Words in This Story

explosive – n. a substance (such as dynamite) that is used to cause an explosion : an explosive substance

booby trap – noun phrase a hidden bomb that explodes when the object connected to it is touched, moved, etc.

jihadist – n. someone engaged in a war fought by Muslims to defend or spread their beliefs

coalition – n. a group of people, groups, or countries who have joined together for a common purpose

airstrike – n. an attack in which military airplanes drop bombs

suicide – n. the act of killing yourself because you do not want to continue living

sniper – n. a person who shoots at another person from a hidden place