Iraqi forces on Tuesday bridged the Euphrates River and moved north into Ramadi’s central neighborhoods, but there is “still tough fighting ahead” in the battle to reclaim the city from ISIS, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said Dec. 22. “In the last 24 hours, coalition airpower has delivered 33 munitions in direct support of offensive operations in Ramadi,” Warren said in a phone conference from Baghdad with reporters at the Pentagon. The movement is a continuation of progress over the last three weeks, Warren said, stressing that while the “fall of Ramadi is inevitable,” there is “still a long way to go.” Warren in October said Iraqi forces were set to retake Ramadi; Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Dec. 9 told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the coalition was finally starting to see movement in the operation after a “frustratingly long time.” Warren said the Iraqi troops used an improved ribbon bridge provided by the coalition to cross the river.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
