IS BOMBS RAMADI STADIUM

BAGHDAD: Iraqi security officials say that militants from the Islamic State group blew up a sports stadium in Iraq’s western Anbar province.

The stadium, near the militant-held city of Ramadi, had never been used for sports. In recent months, it was used as a military base for Iraqi security forces and allied militia groups. Security and military officials said on Monday the 30,000-capacity stadium was empty when it was destroyed on Sunday.

Iraqi security forces last week announced the launch of a largescale operation to retake Anbar province from the militants.