A spokesperson for the Iraqi Governor of Anbar Province has announced that the city of Ramadi has fallen to the Islamic State after bitter fighting and a barrage of airstrikes. The battle for the city was intense throughout the weekend, culminating in Sunday's events.

BREAKING: Governor's spokesman in Iraq's Anbar province says 'Ramadi has fallen' to Islamic State group

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 17, 2015

In the end, the Iraqi military was forced to flee the city, according to a report from the AP.

The Islamic State group seized control of the city of Ramadi on Sunday, sending Iraqi forces racing out of the city in a major loss despite the support of U.S.-led airstrikes targeting the extremists.

Online video showed Humvees, trucks and other equipment purportedly speeding out of Ramadi, with some soldiers gripping onto their sides.