30 April 2015

In Ramadi, the city’s central residential districts have been relatively calm today, with the return of 2,433 families to their homes that the security forces have surrounded with strict security measures. Meanwhile the center’s public marketplaces have been active.

Clashes have been taking place in the Sufiya and Bu-Farraj areas and toward the city’s southern sector, especially in the Hawz and nearby districts. Security forces have been able to penetrate into Sufiya but they are facing fierce resistance by the ISIL gunmen.

A number of military units and supplies have reached Ramadi and have been deployed to the northern, eastern, and the western sectors and in the area around the government complex in central Ramadi where security forces have repelled an ISIL attack; at least 8 gunmen were killed in the fighting.

Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have struck targets in  the southern sector in and around the Hawz district where 3 gunmen have been reported killed.

In Fallujah, the random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and ISIL gunmen holding the city has killed at least 13 residents, including women and children, and wounded at least 12.

Military operations are still underway in Garma, with security forces now only 500 meters away from the town center.

29 April 2015

Military operations are continuing in most parts of Ramadi. In Sufiya, east of Ramadi, fierce clashes have enabled the security forces to seize some areas, but the biggest part is still under ISIL control; gunmen have booby-trapped the main roads and most of the buildings in the area.

Clashes have spread into central Ramadi, with Anbar Council reporting yet again that the city center is on the verge of falling unless military reinforcements and supplies are deployed to the city, especially as the ISIL gunmen are in control of the city’s western and southern sectors, as well as the northern Bu-Farraj area. Iraqi gun ships have carried out strikes on the southern sector of the city.

A number of mortar rounds have today struck the residential districts held by security forces.

An Anbar Council member, Adnan Ubaid Dhahi, announced today that the Council, the Prime Minister, and the U.S. have agreed to the participation of the Peoples’ Militias in the fighting to liberate Anbar Province, provided that they are under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the Prime Minister Hayder Abadi.

Militia fighters have taken part in the fighting in Garma.

In Fallujah, the General Hospital announced today that 3 residents have been killed and 5 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges between security sources surrounding the city that is still being held by ISIL gunmen.

28 April 2015

Many of Ramadi districts are still the scenes of broad military operations in which security forces have reported killing at least 17 ISIL gunmen deep within the Sufiya area east of Ramadi.

Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have also struck a number of areas within Ramadi, and the Bu-Farraj and Sufiya in particular.

In the Ta’meem area in western Ramadi, long an ISIL stronghold, security forces have reported killing at least 35 gunmen.

The forces have also reported turning back an ISIL attack from the city’s southern Hawz district, killing at least 13 gunmen.

Meanwhile security forces have penetrated into the residential districts of central Ramadi, and have announced taking control of all the central and east/central districts of Ramadi.

In Fallujah, the General Hospital announced today that 6 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces positioned around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Garma, security forces have successfully advanced toward the town center but have not yet reached the central residential districts.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, strict security are in place, following reports that ISIL is planning to assault and seize the town, although security forces have thwarted a number of ISIL attacks on the southwestern sector of the town.

27 April 2015

Security forces have carried out an expanded operation in the Sufiya area east of Ramadi; sources have just reported that the forces have made significant advances toward the town center. Iraqi gun-ships and coalition warplanes have also struck positions within the town that is considered the eastern access route to Ramadi.

Security forces have also today taken control of two more districts in central Ramadi. Coalition warplanes today carried out a number of sorties in the Bu-Farraj area north of Ramadi. An Anbar Operations source has confirmed that at least 55 ISIL gunmen were killed in the areas around Bu-Farraj. Meanwhile, security forces supported by tribal fighters have taken control of the adjacent Bu-Dhiab area.

The Anbar governor has announced today that a center has been set at the Habbaniya base to receive tribal volunteers from Ramadi and from the tribes fighting ISIL in western Anbar.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has confirmed that 6 residents have been killed and 11 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

26 April 2015

In southwestern Ramadi, an army barracks was attacked by an explosives-laden vehicle, killing 7 security personnel and wounding 5 others. Security forces have repelled another surprise ISIL attack armed with light and medium weapons in the same area. There are still reports indicating ISIL’s intention to attack that area.

Meanwhile in Baghdadi, security forces have confronted since the early hours of this morning a fierce two-front ISIL attack: one was from the eastern reaches of the town and the second from the western Jubba area. The security forces’ Emergency Regiment repelled the attack, reporting that they have killed 14 of the attacking gunmen.

Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have attacked a number of areas and ISIL positions. There are also reports of an imminent campaign by security forces to take control of the eastern sector of Baghdadi.

The Sufiya area east of Ramadi came under heavy bombardment and it is reported that security forces are planning to penetrate into the Sufiya in the coming hours, after Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes pave the way for them to advance.

In central Ramadi, ISIL has blown up a building housing at the Anbar University college.

Meanwhile security forces are advancing into Ramadi’s southwestern sector, particularly the Hawz district.

Also today, military reinforcements have reached the city center and the Bu-Farraj area.

Since yesterday, more than 2,000 families have returned to the central Ramadi districts.

In Tharthar, troops have parachuted into the vicinity of the Warwar Barrage held by ISIL gunmen in this extreme southwestern area of the province.

In Fallujah, two booby-trapped fuel tanker trailers were detonated by security forces on the city’s northern outskirts. At least 19 gunmen were killed by bombardments launched by security forces in the area; meanwhile, sources are reporting that there have been civilian casualties in southwestern Fallujah.

In Garma, the military operation to seize control of the town is in its second day and fierce clashes are still continuing there. 

25 April 2015

Today, ISIL gunmen have occupied the Tharthar Barrage in southern Anbar. ISIL launched an attack on a military barracks manned by the Iraqi army’s 1^st Division, and then took control of the other barracks after bombarding the positions.  Fierce fighting ensued, but the security forces have been calling for more than a week for military reinforcement and supplies to these barracks, but no aid has been forthcoming. Security sources have reported that at least 141 army and security personnel were killed in the fighting, among them the 1^st Division’s commanding officer, Brig.-Gen. Hassan Abbas, and a regimental commander. ISIL gunmen have taken control of all the areas between al-Thathar and Fallujah. Meanwhile Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have struck a number of positions in these areas and security forces have announced that at least 30 gunmen were killed.

At the Treybil border crossing on the Iraqi-Jordanian border, ISIL gunmen using 3 explosives-laden vehicles have killed at least 5 security personnel were killed and at least 11 were wounded in the attack.

Meanwhile, military operations are at their fiercest in the eastern Ramadi Sufiya area where security forces have penetrated into the town byt ISIL gunmen have counterattacked.

In the southern sector of Ramadi, security forces have taken control of the Hawz district and a number of other districts in southern Ramadi. Security forces have succeeded in penetrating into the Bu-Farraj area north of Ramadi where broad military operations are still underway. Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have carried out numerous strikes on the areas along Ramadi’s perimeter.

23 April 2015

Security forces in Ramadi have announced that they have now taken control of two districts in central Ramadi after having killed at least 17 ISIL gunmen and having disarmed a large number of explosive devices and booby-traps.

Security forces have also stopped a heavy attack against the government complex in Ramadi’s city center, and killing at least 12 ISIL gunmen.

Security forces have also penetrated into the residential districts in western Ramadi and established their control over them.

Meanwhile fierce clashes are underway in the Sufiya area and Street 40 in northeastern Ramadi; security forces are still advancing into the areas.

Troop reinforcements have also arrived from Baghdad and some of the neighboring provinces and are now being deployed in central Ramadi; there are reports that a major battle for the liberation of Anbar is imminent.

Iraqi air support ans coalition warplanes have carried out a number of sorties against targets in Ramadi’s northeastern sector.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has reported that 8 residents have been killed, including 2 women and a child, and at least 14 have been wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Garma, fierce clashes have been raging since the early hours of this morning aimed at establishing control over the town center, following the security forces’ success in capturing and holding the town’s perimeter and its outlying areas.

On the humanitarian front, Haditha is still suffering because no relief aid has been reaching the township, but earlier reports indicate that large quantities of foodstuffs are being readied in Baghdadi’s Ayn al-Asad military base, to be dispatched to Haditha. 

22 April 2015

In Ramadi, security forces have succeeded in taking control of a number of areas and districts: in Sufiya, east of Ramadi, the forces have established control of the northern and northwestern areas of the town, while elements of the ‘Golden’ Division penetrated into the town center where they were met by fierce resistance from the ISIL gunmen; Iraqi air support carried out a number of sorties against Sufiya’s perimeter and on Streets 40 and 100 that are now under security forces’ control.

Security forces have also taken control of two central Ramadi districts and broad areas of the city’s western, northern, and northeastern sectors.

Meanwhile Iraqi air support and coalition have stepped up their air strikes in the Bu-Farraj area of eastern Ramadi; security forces are reporting that they have taken control of 39% of that area.

Since this morning, hundreds of families have been returning to their homes in the liberated areas of Ramadi.

In Baghdadi, security forces have surrounded the eastern sector of the town and the gunmen holed up there.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has reported that 2 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces holding the city’s perimeter areas and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

Military operations have been underway for a week in Garma township; Iraqi army units and those providing support have been able to penetrate deep into the town, but ISIL gunmen have been showing fierce resistance by the ISIL gunmen who are booby-trapping everything in the town.

21 April 2015

In the town of Sufiya in northeastern Ramadi, security forces have taken control of most of the area, and have disarmed more than 100 explosive devices planted by ISIL gunmen along the main roads there. The forces are advancing following the liberation of Streets 100 and 40 that link the area with central Ramadi.

Clashes have resumed in Ramadi’s central and southwestern districts. ISIL gunmen had launched an attack toward the southern districts, but security forces backed up by Iraqi air support have turned back the attack and have taken control of the areas around the al-Haqq Mosque and the Grand State Mosque in central Ramadi.

Military operations are continuing in the Bu-Farraj area while Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes carried out a number of strikes against ISIL positions in the area. Meanwhile six additional Federal Police, local police, and tribal volunteer regiments have reached Ramadi.

Hundreds of families are making their way back to their homes in Ramadi, following a false alarm and rumors spread by ISIL about an impending attack by the gunmen.

In Baghdadi, a military interdiction operation has enabled Iraqi forces with Iraqi air support and coalition air strikes to penetrate into the eastern sector of the town. There are reports that three regiments have reached Baghdadi to bolster an imminent operation aimed at restoring control over the area in which gunmen have blown up at least 50 homes belonging to security forces personnel.

In Fallujah, five residents have been reported killed and at least 34 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Garma, the second phase of the operation aimed at securing the town center has been continuing with security forces reporting that they are now within one kilometer away from the center.

20 April 2015

The Anbar Police Commander, Kadhum al-Fahdawi, announced today that the ISIL threat on Ramadi has been dispelled and that life in the city is now almost normal, notwithstanding the clashes and bombardments are continuing in the northern and northeastern sectors of the city. Street 100, between the Bu-Farraj area and the Sufiya area of northern Ramadi. Operations are ongoing around the Sufiya township. A police source has reported that ISIL gunmen have booby-trapped at least 70 houses in these outlying areas of eastern Ramadi. Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes have today launched strikes on these Ramadi areas and in the southern and central districts of the city; security forces have reported that at least 77 ISIL gunmen have been killed by these air attacks.

The Anbar Council announced today that families have been making there way back to their homes in Ramadi and also to the eastern and northeastern areas. Aside from the continuing clashes, security sources are reporting that the security situation there is relatively calm.

In Baghdadi, the security situation is still grave; ISIL gunmen have forced at least 50 families to flee to the Hatimiya area on the banks of the Euphrates where they have been surrounded for three days  without access to food or medicines.

Meanwhile reinforcements have reached Baghdadi and a major military operation is being reported as imminent, to liberate the township from the gunmen.

19 April 2015

A three-front military operation has been launched in the Sufiya area following the deployment of forces from the ‘Golden’ Division, Rapid Deployment units, and Anti-terrorism units around the town’s perimeter. Reports from Anbar Operations and Anbar Police indicate that these forces have successfully taken control of 50% of the Sufiya areas and Street 100 that runs along the northern sector of Ramadi where security forces have taken control of the city center areas.

Since the early hours of this morning the government complex in the city center has been under attack from the southern sector by ISIL gunmen, but security forces with Iraqi air support have successfully repelled the attack, killing dozens of the attacking gunmen.

Military operations are still underway in the Bu-Farraj area where security forces have secured 60% of the area. Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes have also carried out sorties on targets in Bu-Farraj and its surrounding areas.

Major military reinforcements have arrived today in Ramadi, including equipment, vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.

In Baghdadi, military operations are continuing following the ISIL gunmen’s success in penetrating into the town. Security forces are still repelling the gunmen’s attacks. Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes have also attacked positions in the town’s eastern areas.

Thousands of families are still migrating across the Bzaybiz footbridge into the capital, Baghdad.

Amiriyat al-Fallujah is still experiencing severe humanitarian hardship because incoming aid is so insufficient, according to migrants who have fled the eastern and northeastern sectors of Ramadi.

18 April 2015

Following the successes by the security forces in repelling a number of  ISIL attacks in Ramadi’s central and northern sectors, meanwhile, ISIL has launched repeated attacks in the city’s southern sector, and also from the northeastern sector.

Huge quantities of military equipment and vehicles have reached the Habbaniya Base east of Ramadi. In addition to the four regiments that reached Ramadi yesterday, a further 6 regiments are expected to reach central Ramadi today, to take part in a four-pronged incursion into central Ramadi and to liberate the whole city.

 

In Baghdadi, a major attack has been launched by ISIL forces; they detonated two booby-trapped Hummers and another large vehicle at the entrance to the town and moved in toward the town center.

Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes have struck a number of positions, but the security situation there is still grave. Most Baghdadi families have migrated from their homes and are now in the desert region between Baghdadi and Haditha, after they were stopped by ISIL from moving into Hit.

 

The Zaybiz crossing linking Anbar Province with the capital, Baghdad, is still being crossed by thousands of families, after earlier problems and delays were overcome. Most of those arriving are suffering from exhaustion. 

16 April 2015

Military operations are still underway in the areas northeast of Ramadi. The Anbar Council has announced that ISIL has seized control of broad areas east of the city. Security forces supported by elements of the ‘Golden’ Division have liberated Street 40, the ring road connecting the eastern areas with central Ramadi. They have also attacked a number of barracks captured by ISIL two days ago. Meanwhile six regiments have arrived to support the operations in the Bu-Farraj area; they are now positioned around the areas east of Ramadi.

Coalition warplanes and Iraqi air support have carried out strikes in the Bu-Farraj and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile ISIL gunmen have executed at least 32 Bu-Ghanim residents, and 40 are still missing most of whom are security personnel.

The local Anbar government, the governor, and tribal leaders have today called for a speedy salvation of the province, as there are reports that the people’s militias are aiming to enter Anbar to support security forces in regaining the control over the security situation in Anbar, at a time when the city is on the verge of falling to the ISIL gunmen.

In Garma, areas around the town’s center have been liberated by security forces after killing at least 34 gunmen, according to Anbar Operations sources.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, security forces have today repelled an ISIL attack, while large numbers of mortar rounds have killed one resident and wounded 7.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has announced that 2 residents have been killed and 4 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city center.

15 April 2015

ISIL gunmen have launched a major assault on the areas to the northeast of Ramadi and taken control of a number of towns and villages in the area. At least 13 security forces personnel were killed during the attack following the withdrawal of army units and the people’s militias. Meanwhile heavy fighting is continuing by the local tribal fighters and police forces. Thousands of families have been evacuating Ramadi’s central districts, making their way to Habbaniya and to Baghdad. Meanwhile military equipment and four army regiments have reached Ramadi to take part in stopping the ISIL advances into the city. There are unconfirmed reports that ISIL has executed a number of local residents, particularly in the Bu-Ghanim area where local fighters had put up stiff resistance.

Clashes accompanied by coalition air strikes and Iraqi air support have enabled security forces to move into the city’s southern sector. Reports indicate that the gunmen are in control of the southern Bu-Ghanim area that has seen many families abandoning their homes.

14 April 2015

In northeastern Ramadi, military operations are continuing in the Bu-Farraj area; an Anbar Operations source has announced that security forces have successfully repelled four ISIL attacks, and have taken control of the town’s southern sector – about 30% of the total area. Meanwhile, security forces have mined and booby-trapped the roads leading into the town. Coalition warplanes and Iraqi air support have launched strikes against a number of the gunmen’s positions in the area and security sources have reported that at least 77 gunmen were killed in the Bu-Farraj and surrounding areas.

Security forces have also repelled an ISIL attack in the southern Ramadi Hawz district and adjacent districts. Four gunmen were killed in the fighting.

ISIL gunmen have also attempted today to penetrate into Ramadi city from its western sector, but security forces with Iraqi air support have bombarded the ISIL-controlled areas from which the attack was launched.

In Fallujah, ISIL gunmen have been taking security precautions in advance of the imminently expected military operation to retake the city.

Meanwhile, 6 residents have been killed and 11 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security sources around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Garma, security forces today launched a major military operation against the town center, following the exodus of hundreds of families from the town. Security forces have reported making advances into the town but have not yet reached its center.

12 April 2015

Military operations are still underway in the Bu-Farraj areas east of Ramadi where major reinforcements have now been deployed; two regiments of Emergency Police forces have reached the outskirts of the town, but ISIL has committed a number of atrocities in the town center, by executing at least 18 security forces personnel, having taken them by surprise and cornering them inside a residential home. They were shot to death today in the Bu-Farraj center. ISIL gunmen also detonated a booby-trapped vehicle today on the Bu-Farraj Bridge linking the town with Ramadi City. ISIL The gunmen are now fully in control of the areas across the Euphrates, following their seizure of the surrounding areas. Meanwhile, hundreds of families have fled Bu-Farraj to the residential districts within Ramadi where they are sheltering in the schools and mosques under harsh living conditions.

Coalition warplanes and Iraqi air support have carried out strikes throughout today and into this evening, targeting numerous positions in the Bu-Farraj and adjacent areas.

The local Anbar government confirmed today that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered security forces to urgently dispatch military aid to Ramadi, and some military equipment has indeed arrived today, but the various people’s militias have today withdrawn from the Shjariya area toward the Habbaniya Base.

Meanwhile military operations have moved to Ramadi’s southern sector where security forces have succeeded in establishing control of the Hawz and adjacent districts and on  and on towards the northwestern districts. Iraqi air support has been used in attacking targets in western Ramadi.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, more than 30 mortar rounds have struck overnight numerous targets in the town’s southwestern sector. Ten civilians have been wounded in the town that is experiencing severe food shortages.

In Fallujah, the situation is relatively calm; some mortar rounds have struck the city but no casualties have been reported by the city’s general hospital.

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.

09 April 2015

In the continuing military operations in the Shjariya area east of Ramadi, security forces have secured all of those areas. The forces and the Anbar Council have confirmed that large numbers of ISIL gunmen have fled toward Hamidhiya, southwest of Shjariya.

Security forces have killed at least 23 gunmen, according to Anbar Operations sources.

Also today, Faleh al-Issawi, the Deputy Anbar Council leader, confirmed that Hezbollah units have taken part in the operations that liberated the Shjariya area. More volunteers are also expected to take part in the campaign to liberate Anbar from the ISIL gunmen.

Meanwhile the ‘Golden’ Division’s antiterrorist and rapid-deployment units have carried out a broad operation in the southern districts of Ramadi, specifically advancing to Hawz district.

Iraqi air support has also launched attacks all along the stretch between the southern and northwestern sectors of Ramadi, and security forces have also killed at least 11 gunmen, and at least 3 ISIL snipers were killed when the building they were using was targeted.

Meanwhile Sheikh Na’eem al-Gu’ud, an Anbar tribal elder, announced that ISIL have executed more than 300 al-Qaim residents, having accused them of cooperating with security forces and providing them with intelligence. They had been held in secret ISIL prisons in al-Qaim. The report has not yet been confirmed by either local or external Anbar government sources.

Military operations in Fallujah are continuing; the mobile communications network has been restored, after it had been shut down for more than 48 hours.

A General Hospital source has reported that 14 residents, including women and children, have been killed by the random bombardment exchanges during the past two days, and at least 24 have been wounded by the mortar exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and the gunmen still holding the city.

In Garma, military operations are still underway; the town is fully surrounded amid reports suggesting that a security forces’ assault on the town is imminent.

07 April 2015

In Ramadi, a curfew has been imposed on the whole city as from 12:00 noon today. This was prompted, according to Anbar Operations sources, by reports that ISIL is planning an attack on the city’s central and northeastern districts using car-bombs. Another reason for the curfew has been the launch of a military operation in northeastern Ramadi’s Shjariya town. Security forces have encircled the town and have launched a three-pronged attack, from the north, the east, and the south against the town where major reinforcements have been deployed. Anbar Operations sources are reporting a mass withdrawal of the ISIL gunmen from Shjariya, toward the opposite banks of the Euphrates. Six booby-trapped homes have been cleared in the town, and roadside explosives along the roads into the town have also been cleared.

A Fast Response Force officer has announced that the security forces have advanced and liberated a number of areas in southern Ramadi’s Hawz district, killing a number of gunmen. Meanwhile two security regiments have arrived from Baghdad: one has been deployed in westernmost Ramadi, and the second in the city’s northern sector. These reinforcements and the arrival of large quantities of supplies and equipment are expected to bolster the major operation that will deal with most of Anbar Province.

Clashes are continuing in the easternmost sector of Ramadi in the areas between the city and the ‘Japanese’ Bridge and on toward Garma whose center is still surrounded by security forces.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has announced that 2 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen still holding the city.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, the curfew has been lifted today and the situation is ‘normal’ and there has not been any incoming mortar fire.

06 April 2015

A source at the Anbar Council confirmed today that the Prime Minister has agreed to authorize the Anbar Governor, Suhaib al-Rawi, to purchase weapons from international companies in order to prepare and arm the tribes for the fight to liberate Anbar that is already making major preparations. Meanwhile military equipment, weapons, and some tribal volunteer fighters have also arrived today.

The level of the clashes in northeastern Ramadi has escalated today, particularly in the areas between Zangura and the main highway. Security forces, coalition warplanes, and Iraqi air support have according to an Anbar Operations source, killed at least 23 ISIL gunmen in the fighting that is still ongoing.

There have also been clashes reported in Ramadi’s southern sector, particularly in the Hawz district and its neighboring districts. Security forces have reported that 3 gunmen were killed by an Iraqi air strike on a building occupied by ISIL personnel.

In the areas between Ramadi and Garma, security forces are still surrounding Garma and are expected to assault the town center within a matter of hours.

This morning, security forces repelled an attack on a border post on the border with Saudi Arabia, and a booby-trapped vehicle was stopped before the ISIL gunmen could use it to attack a military barracks. Seven gunmen were killed in the resulting clashes.

In Baghdadi today, an explosive device in the town center, detonated, killing 2 residents and wounding 3.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has reported that the hospital has not received any casualties resulting from the usual random bombardment exchanges. Yesterday the hospital announced that 1,000 residents have been killed since the fighting began in Fallujah more than a year ago.

Security forces in Amiriyat al-Fallujah are still enforcing a curfew on the town’s southwestern sector following heavy mortar attacks on the town. Four residents including a woman have been killed and at least 30 wounded over the past two days as a result of the bombardment.

05 April 2015

An Interior Ministry delegation arrived today in Anbar, led by Muwaffaq Abdul-Hadi, the senior Deputy Minister at the Ministry. Upon arrival the delegation met with security commanders, the local government, and the Province’s Governor. The governor confirmed that large quantities of supplies and equipment will be arriving in Anbar, prior to announcement of the launch of the biggest military operation to liberate the province, similar to the military operation in Salahuddin Province and the liberation of Tikrit.

On the ground military operations are underway today in northeastern Ramadi, especially in the areas between the town of Zangura and the main highway into Ramadi. Iraqi air strikes have also attacked areas across the highway, killing 9 ISIL gunmen according to security sources. Meanwhile some clashes have taken place between Khalidiya in eastern Ramadi and the ‘Japanese Bridge’ leading to Garma. Iraqi air strikes have also targeted ISIL pockets on the outskirts of Garma. A military source has reported that at least 34 gunmen were killed in the eastern Ramadi/Garma area.

Late last night, the deputy Anbar Governor, Faleh al Issawi, announced that ISIL has committed yet another crime against the people of Al-Qa’im township in western Ramadi, by executing at least 25 young men, having accused them of cooperating with security forces. Observers say that the population there have begun forming armed groups to fight against the gunmen, raising ISIL concers and leading to the executions.

Amiriyat al-Fallujah is still under mortar fire today; 4 residents have been killed and 12 wounded by the bombardment that has been continuous since yesterday. Most of the victims have been women and children.

In Fallujah, at least 30 mortar rounds have struck the city’s central and southern districts. A General Hospital source has reported that 3 residents including a woman have been killed, and 7 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges. 

04 April 2015

In Ramadi, large quantities of military equipment and reinforcements have arrived. An Anbar Operations source has announced that the supplies, equipment, and vehicles have been deployed from Tikrit that has just been liberated from Isil’s gunmen. The source added that Anbar Operations and other joint commands will lay down a plan over the next few days for a major military operation to liberate Anbar Province from ISIL. Following the liberation of Tikrit  all eyes are on Anbar. Security forces have killed nine ISIL gunmen in the bombardment at the Hawz and nearby districts in Ramadi’s southern sector.

Meanwhie, the Anbar Operation Commander, Qassem Mohammed, announced that security forces with Iraqi air support have bombardment ISIL’s Shari’a Court in Zangoura, killing at least 22 gunmen, ISIL has also executed 7 men believed to be security personnel and/or tribal fighters who were captured in the fighting in northeastern Ramadi. They were shot in the Ta’meem District in western Ramadi. 

In Falluja, a medical source at the General Hospital has announced that 4 residents were killed and seven wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and ISIL who have been holding the city for nearly a year. Meanwhile one child was killed and three were injured by mortar fire that was targeted the center of Habbaniya, northeast of Ramadi. 

 

Meanwhile security authorities have today imposed a curfew on Amiriyat al-Fallujah, following a surprise ISIL attack in the township’s southwestern sector accompanied by at least 30 mortar rounds fired at various parts of the residential complex in the town center. One woman was killed and 9 wounded by the mortar attacks. A local council source reports that the bombardment caused severe damage to residential homes and government buildings.

The towns and townships in western Anbar are still relatively calm.

01 April 2015

Beginning at 13:00 today, joint security forces launched a broad offensive in the area that ISIL gunmen had captured yesterday in northern Ramadi. The security forces have been advancing amid fierce battles in the area. Meanwhile ISIL have executed a number of citizens for having cooperated with the advancing forces. The fate of a number of security personnel who were in the area at the time of yesterday's ISIL assault is still unknown. The Anbar Council has announced that support and military materiel have arrived to take part in the ongoing operation.

Meanwhile some parts of Ramadi are still under curfew, especially in the residential complex in central Ramadi.

Clashes have also broken out today in the city's southern sector, but security forces have established control after killing at least 5 ISIL gunmen.

Security forces have today engaged in fughting the gunmen east of Ramadi and are now in control of those area, including the 'Japanese' Bridge and on to the outskirts of Garma, but the forces have not yet penetrated into the town's center. Security forces supported by Iraqi air strikes have been attacking ISIL gunmen who have been laying roadside explosive devices in order to hinder any advance into the town center.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has announced that 4 civilian residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges between security forces surrounding the city and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. The incoming fire has affected the central and northern residential districts.