Offensive launched to take back Ramadi from Islamic State fighters

Iraqi paramilitary fighters taking part in the effort to retake Ramadi battle Islamic State forces in an area surrounding the village of Dujail on May 26.

Mourners chant slogans against Islamic State on May 27 as they carry the flag-draped coffins of three members of Peace Brigades, a Shiite militia group, who were killed in Ramadi during fighting with Islamic State militants.

A man Iraqi officials presented as a former jihadist who defected to join government forces in the drive to recapture Ramadi, takes position in Anbar province on May 26.

Iraqi security forces and paramilitaries deploy northwest of Baghdad on May 26 during an operation aimed at cutting off Islamic State fighters in Anbar province before a major offensive to retake the city of Ramadi.

Iraqi paramilitary fighters take position in the area surrounding the village of Dujail on May 26, during an operation to retake the city of Ramadi.

Displaced Iraqis from Ramadi and surrounding areas walk through Amiriyat al-Fallujah toward Baghdad on May 22.

Displaced civilians from Ramadi, Iraq, take refuge in a camp in the town of Amiriyat al-Fallujah, west of Baghdad, on May 22.