28 February 2015

In Baghdadi, Security forces have succeeded in re-taking the perimeter of the town's western residential complex; an ISIL suicide bomber blew himself up at the complex's main entrance, killing one of the security personnel there and wounding 4 others. Security forces have also secured the route between the complex and the Ayn al-Asad military base. Many families and wounded residents were transported from the complex to the base. Security forces also tried to move into the ISIL-controlled southwestern sector of the township but were held off by the gunmen. A military operation aimed at liberating the sector and its residential complex is reported to be scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday).

Meanwhile, Baghdadi residents are reporting severe hardships in the town because of the extreme shortages of foodstuffs and fuel. There is also a serious shortage of drinking water following the the damage inflicted by the gunmen at the town's water distribution facilities. The HQ of the 7th Division has today received supply shipments that have been distributed to the camps set up at Ayn al-Asad.

In Ramadi, a military operation in the city's southern sector has set up a barrier aimed at protecting the city's southern and central districts from ISIL gunmen holding several districts in the sector. Meanwhile, the city's central districts are relatively calm today, while security forces supported by Iraqi and coalition airstrikes have been advancing in the city's outlying northeastern areas.

In Fallujah, the general hospital reported this morning that 3 residents have been killed and 4 were wounded by the ongoing random exchanges of mortar fire between security forces around the city's perimeter and ISIL forces holding the city.

In Garma, fierce clashes for the fourth consecutive day have killed 7 civilians and wounded 7 by the bombardment of the town's residential districts.