Islamic State fighters overran Ramadi in a major defeat for the Iraqi government, tightening their grip on the city, flying black flags on key buildings and setting free prisoners in a drive to win the support of local residents.
Islamic State Militants Overrun Ramadi
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Displaced Sunnis fleeing the violence in the city of Ramadi arrive at the outskirts of Baghdad, May 19, 2015.
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An internally displaced Iraqi Sunni boy sits with his family, who fled the violence in the city of Ramadi, on the outskirts of Baghdad, May 19, 2015.
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Despite the cold weather, families with children participated in support of immigrants and refugees, Feb. 4, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (S. Islam/VOA)
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Civilians fleeing their hometown of Ramadi pull over at a police checkpoint in Habaniyah, 80 kilometers west of Baghdad, May 18, 2015.