BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Iraq's armed forces will start in the coming hours an operation to retake the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants, state TV reported, citing the army chief of staff.

"The operation to free Ramadi will begin in the coming hours," the TV cited him as saying in a headline on screen, giving no further details and not identifying the officer by name. (Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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