![TOPSHOT-IRAQ-CONFLICT-RAMADI Members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism service search a heavily damaged building in Ramadi on Dec. 27, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ramadi-fall-isis-005.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Photo
Read More: ISIS Has Been Defeated in the City of Ramadi, the Iraqi Military Says
![Iraqi forces try to seize Ramadi from Daesh terrorists Iraqi forces during an operation to re-seize Ramadi from Islamic state (ISIS) militants in the el-Hoz neighborhood of Ramadi, Iraq on Dec. 26, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iraq-ramadi-liberation-isis-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![IRAQ-CONFLICT-RAMADI Members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism service secure on December 27, 2015 the Hoz neighbourhood in central Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province, about 110 kilometers west of Baghdad, during military operations conducted by Iraqi pro-government forces against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. Jihadist fighters abandoned their last stronghold in Ramadi today, bringing Iraqi federal forces within sight of their biggest victory since last year's massive offensive by the Islamic State group. AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYEAHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ramadi-fall-isis-004.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![IRAQ-CONFLICT-RAMADI Members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism service search a building on December 27, 2015 in the Hoz neighbourhood in central Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province, about 110 kilometers west of Baghdad, during military operations conducted by Iraqi pro-government forces against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. Jihadist fighters abandoned their last stronghold in Ramadi today, bringing Iraqi federal forces within sight of their biggest victory since last year's massive offensive by the Islamic State group. AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYEAHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ramadi-fall-isis-006.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![TOPSHOT-IRAQ-CONFLICT-RAMADI Members of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism service search a heavily damaged building in Ramadi on Dec. 27, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ramadi-fall-isis-005.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Iraqi forces recapture center of Ramadi from IS Iraqi soldiers walk inside the government complex, that was recaptured from the Islamic state (IS) militants, in central Ramadi on Dec. 28, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iraq-ramadi-liberation-isis-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Members of the Iraqi security forces hold an Iraqi flag with an Islamic State flag which they had pulled down at a government complex in the city of Ramadi Members of the Iraqi security forces hold an Iraqi flag with an Islamic State flag which they had pulled down at a government complex in the city of Ramadi on Dec. 28, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iraq-ramadi-liberation-isis-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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