09 December 2014

For the third consecutive day, ISIL gunmen have again attempted to assault and take over the Anbar government complex in Ramadi. The assault came from three directions: north, south, and west. Security forces responded quickly and prevented the gunmen from penetrating the complex's environs. Eight ISIL gunmen have been reported killed in the action.

A second battle took place in the Hawz district with the gunmen attacking and advancing from the north and west, but security forces are still holding some parts of the district and its adjacent districts.

In Hit, security forces are still massively deployed around the town, and reconnaissance flights have been ongoing in apparent preparation for the expected major military operation on the town. The Industrial district in the town, believed to be the location of ISIL workshops producing booby-trapped vehicles and explosive devices, was bombed. The security command says that it needs more than 15,000 fighters in order to assault the town.

In the extreme northwestern Ramadi districts, clashes have been taking place between the gunmen and tribal forces earlier today, Iraqi air sources announced that their aircraft have struck 3 ISIL positions in those areas.

In Fallujah, clashes and bombardment exchanges have been continuing between the security forces on the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen still holding the city. The city's general hospital has announced that 2 residents have been killed and 13 wounded.

The humanitarian situation in Anbar has reached its most critical level, following the local government's declaration of bankruptcy. Many parts of the province have ben cut off and isolated by ISIL forces who have been preventing food and fuel from reaching these areas, particularly those that they do not fully control.

There are also critical medicine shortages in the province's hospitals. This is especially the case in Fallujah where the general hospital has declared that it has completely run out of medications.