06 March 2015

In Garma today military operations are continuing for the second consecutive day. Security forces have entered parts of the town's eastern sector where they disarmed and cleared more than 100 explosive devices and 16 booby-trapped homes. However, one of the houses blew up as security personnel were entering it, killing 5 soldiers and wounding 7 others, according to initial reports.

Meanwhile Anbar Operations has announced that at least 34 ISIL gunmen had been killed in the clashes and the bombardment of the town's eastern districts. An Iraqi army force supported by tribal fighters has secured the Garma Bridge and areas in the vicinity of the town. In southern Garma, clashes have resulted in the capture of a number of ISIL's vehicles that were intended to be used in an ISIL advance toward the capital, Baghdad, in the Abu Ghraib area.

In Baghdadi, a security operation has liberated 4 villages in the vicinity of Jubba in southernmost Baghdadi township. Security forces are reporting that they have killed at least 21 gunmen in the fighting. Other fierce clashes have been taking place across the river from Baghdadi in the areas between Baghdadi and Haditha. Anbar Operations sources are reporting that more than 90% of the township has been secured, with a few ISIL pockets remaining in the desert areas of the township. Meanwhile, large quantities of food aid have been delivered to the township via the Ayn al-Asad Base. Dozens of Baghdadi families have been airlifted from the base to the capital, Baghdad.

In Ramadi, military operations have continued in the city's southern sector, with ISIL gunmen attempting to penetrate deeper into the city; 3 gunmen have been killed in the fighting. Reports this evening say that security forces have killed an ISIL leader in the Hawz district. Security forces have also secured areas around the Habbaniya township and on the outskirts of northeastern Ramadi.

In Fallujah, the general hospital has reported that 2 residents have been killed and 7 have been wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges.

Meanwhile, most of Ramadi is relatively quiet following the imposition of a curfew, especially around the city's mosques. The curfew was lifted after Friday prayers ended.