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Obama: 'I Don't Think We're Losing' Fight With IS


U.S. President Barack Obama has admitted that the fall of the Iraqi city of Ramadi to Islamic State group was a "tactical setback" but said, "I don't think we're losing" the fight against the militants.

Obama said in an interview with The Atlantic released on May 21, "There's no doubt that in the Sunni areas, we're going to have to ramp up not just training, but also commitment, and we better get Sunni tribes more activated than they currently have been."

Obama's statement came after IS fighters overran Ramadi last week and on May 20 took full control of Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, which is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site containing ancient ruins.

Meanwhile, police and pro-government tribal fighters say that IS fighters on May 21 overran Iraqi government defenses east of Ramadi.

The defensive line was in Husaiba, about 10 kilometers east of Ramadi.

Thousands of Shi'ite militia fighters have been massing in Khalidiya, 20 kilometers east of Ramadi, in preparation for a push to retake the city.

Based on reporting by theatlantic.com and AFP

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