A convoy of Shi'ite Muslim militia and Iraqi army forces launched a counter-offensive against Islamic State militants near Ramadi Saturday, a day after U.S.-led forces conducted airstrikes near the militant-controlled city.

Pro-government forces are seeking to retake the capital of the sprawling western province of Anbar, which borders Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. military said the international coalition it leads conducted 22 strikes in Iraq overnight, focusing on Ramadi, the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, and the area near the oil refinery of Beiji.

Five coalition airstrikes also hit Syria, where a bomb destroyed anti-aircraft artillery systems in Palmyra – also known as Tadmur – where IS forces gained ground this week.

Earlier, President Barack Obama reaffirmed the U.S. government's support for Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the decision to plan an operation to retake control of Ramadi, which fell to ISIS last week. (Source: voanews)

Story Date: May 25, 2015