Thousands of Iraqi Families Flee Ramadi as Islamic State Militants Advance
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File photo. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images(BAGHDAD) — An Iraqi official says more than 2,000 families have fled the city of Ramadi to escape Islamic State militants who are advancing on the provincial capital of western Anbar province.
Those families are now settling on the outskirts of nearby Baghdad.
ISIS fighters have seized several villages around Ramadi in recent days, but Iraqi military officials say their forces still control the center of the city.
The extremist group has controlled the nearby city of Fallujah for more than a year.
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey said Thursday that Iraq “has made gains” against the militant group.
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