ANBAR, Iraq

 Iraqi security forces, backed by Shia militia fighters, took control of two areas from Daesh in southern Ramadi Wednesday, a government official said.

“Iraqi security forces, backed by al-Hashid al-Shaabi, managed to liberate al-Humeyra and al-Tash areas in southern Ramadi after fierce clashes in which 33 Daesh militants were killed,” Arkan Khalaf Tarmouz, a member of Anbar province’s council, told Anadolu Agency.

The operation began Tuesday as Iraqi forces and Shia militia fighters embarked on a campaign to retake Ramadi, the capital of the western province of Anbar.

According to Tarmouz, Iraqi forces entered parts of Anbar University, which is located south of the al-Tash area.

Meanwhile, a security source told Anadolu Agency that “army forces managed to repel three Daesh suicide car bomb attacks south of Fallujah.”

On May 17, Daesh took control of Ramadi after overrunning government forces in the area.

In Washington, the Obama administration welcomed the Iraqi offensive. 

“We are encouraged by Iraqi forces mobilizing at the order of the prime minister and are now beginning to push back to retake parts of Anbar province,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters aboard Air Force One. 

State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said his agency is "encouraged by reports that Iraqi forces have begun to consolidate and reorganize and counter attack on ISIL [Daesh] around Ramadi. 

"We believe that Iraqi forces have to make concerted efforts to protect local populations and property and to secure the human rights of all Iraqi citizens," he added.