10 April 2015

Anbar has today witnessed the biggest military attack by ISIL, launched from the northeast of Ramadi, an area that had been controlled by security forces. The gunmen also attacked using suicide vests and explosive-laden vehicles in an attempt to penetrate into the city from the southwest. In seizing control the gunmen executed 15 people, among them women and children,

They also blew up a number of residential homes and some government buildings.

Meanwhile, army and local police units in northernmost Anbar have withdrawn. Hundreds of families in the Bu-Farraj area have fled and have taken shelter in mosques and schools in central Ramadi.

ISIL gunmen have also captured a number of tribal and ‘Awakenings’ fighters in the adjacent Bu-Aytha area, some of whom have been executed by the gunmen.

Meanwhile, military reinforcements have arrived from various Ramadi sectors and from Baghdad. There are now reports that the area is to be assaulted by security forces. The gunmen have also blown up a bridge between Bu-Farraj and Ramadi, to hinder the advance by security forces.

Meanwhile, the Anbar Council has once again called on the central government to provide urgent assistance for the northern sector of Ramadi.

The attack from southern Ramadi that coincided with their attack on the northern sector was met by security forces backed up by Iraqi air support; 13 ISIL gunmen are reported killed in the southern districts of the city.

The Anbar Police Commander survived an assassination attempt by the gunmen in the northern sector. He was not hurt and is still leading his forces, along with the Anbar Operations Commander in the ongoing military operations in northeastern Ramadi.

In Fallujah today, a general hospital source has reported that 2 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges into and out of the city.