09 March 2015

In Garma, military operations are continuing since dawn this morning. Anbar Operations sources are reporting that their forces have been able to take control of the eastern part of the town and its industrial zone. Military reinforcements are also making their way toward the town's center. Iraqi and coalition airstrikes have targeted the northern and northeastern sectors, with reports coming in of at least 250 ISIL gunmen being killed during this recent campaign. Explosives and mines are currently being disarmed and cleared. There are also reports that numerous gunmen have been fleeing into the desert areas separating the town from Fallujah, an area that is reported to be the next target of the military operations. Anbar Operations are reporting thst hundreds of families have been evacuating Garma and parts of Fallujah following the reports of a possible widening of the operations to include Fallujah. The families are making their way to Amiriyat al-Fallujah and toward the areas leading to the capital, Baghdad.

In Fallujah, a medical source has reported that 3 residents have been killed and 9 wounded in new clashes and the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Ramadi, clashes resumed at dawn today in the city's southern sector, while security forces have blown up a number of tunnels that ISIL gunmen had intended to use to advance to the government complex in the city center.

In Baghdadi, security sources are reporting that the town is relatively calm today following the success of those forces in taking control of 90% of the town. There are still pockets of gunmen in the outlying areas of the township, targeting the town center with mortar and rocket fire.

Meanwhile, food aid and fuel supplies have arrived in Haditha township.