Islamic State fighters are slowing down the advance of Iraqi forces in the militant-held city of Ramadi, a senior commander has said.

Iraq launched a long-awaited operation to recapture the Anbar provincial capital but after an initial push across the Euphrates River, their progress stalled.

General Ismail al-Mahlawi said today that the advance is hampered by suicide bombers, snipers and booby traps. He said Iraqi troops "need days" to get to the city's central government complex.

The head of the Anbar military operations added that Iraqi troops are now about half a mile from the complex.