30 June 2015

In Baghdadi, the joint security forces there, supported by tribal fighters, have launched a major military operation. The forces have taken control of the Jubba area across the Euphrates in southwestern Baghdadi. The forces have killed at least 23 ISIL gunmen, with the support of Iraqi gun ships and Coalition warplanes. The liberated areas had been under ISIL control for three months.

In western Baghdadi, in the Bu-Hayat area, security forces have clashed with the ISIL gunmen there, but have not yet been able to establish full control. Security sources are reporting that they now hold about 80% of the Bu-Hayat area. In eastern Baghdadi, security forces have wrested control over the area from the ISIL gunmen.

All three combat zones are still the scene of fierce clashes.

In Ramadi, ISIL forces have attacked the areas to the east of the city, in Eastern Husayba, Juwayba, and Bu-Farraj. Security forces were able to thwart the attacks, killing at least 17 of the gunmen.

In southwestern Ramadi, Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have foiled attempts by ISIL gunmen to penetrate into the sector.

In Fallujah, indiscriminate bombardment exchanges are continuing between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. A General Hospital source has reported that at least 7 residents were killed and at least 13 were wounded by the bombardment of the central, southern, and northern residential districts.

In Garma, the situation remains unchanged, with security forces continuing their drive aimed at gaining control of the town’s center.

29 June 2015

In the western township of Al-Qaim on the border with Syria, Coalition warplanes launched a series of air strikes on a number of areas there, including Akashat and its phosphate plant, where large numbers of ISIL gunmen had gathered for a series of meetings. A security source has reported that dozens of the gunmen were killed.

In Ramadi, security forces are reinforcing their stranglehold on the city’s perimeter areas, while clashes were continuing in the Eastern Husayba and Juwayba to the east of the city. Coalition warplanes and Iraqi gun ships struck a number of ISIL positions, killing at least 13 gunmen. More than 800 additional tribal volunteers have been deployed to support the security forces.

An Anbar Council source has reported today that the Council has asked the Prime Minister to withdraw the People’s Mobilization forces that breached discipline by setting fire to a number of homes in the Nukhaib area, including the home of Sheikh Mit’ib Al-Unaizi, a tribal leader of the Unizza tribe. Residents have been accusing the force members of also setting fire to private vehicles in those areas.

In Fallujah, the General Hospital announced today that 9 residents, including 3 women and 4 children, were killed and 11 others were wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. Central and northern residential districts were hit.

In Garma, The ‘Garma Dawn’ military operation to liberate the town center was launched last night and clashes have been continuing throughout the day. But security forces have not yet been able to penetrate into and seize the town center.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, mortar and rocket fire during the night has struck the town’s residential districts, causing extensive structural damage.

28 June 2015

In Fallujah today, a General Hospital source has reported that the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen that have been holding the city itself for more than a year have killed 15 residents, including 4 women and 3 children, and wounded at least 27. Clashes are ongoing and several residential districts have been hit by mortar and rocket fire.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, security forces have turned back one of the fiercest ISIL attacks northeast of the town that has also been subjected to incoming bombardment of its residential districts. Two explosives-rigged vehicles were blown up by security forces.

In Ramadi, stringent security measures have been adopted all along the city’s perimeter. The Anbar Police commander announced today that more than 1,000 tribal volunteers have completed their training and have been deployed in support of the security forces. Their have been some skirmishes in the city’s eastern and northeastern areas, in eastern Husayba, and Juwayba. Iraqi gun ships have attacked a number of targets in various districts, killing at least 4 ISIL gunmen in Bu-Farraj.

In Hit, sorties by Iraqi gun ships over the last two days have struck a number of ISIL positions, killing 7 ISIL gunmen. Three civilians were also killed and 7 were wounded by the strikes. 

27 June 2015

In Ramadi, security forces are still consolidating their stranglehold on the city's perimeter. Sources are reporting that military supplies and equipment have arrived today, and that more than 1,000 People's Mobilization fighters from Ramadi itself are to be deployed in support of the security forces. There were some clashes on the eastern ans northeastern outskirts of the city.

Iraqi and Coalition aircraft have carried out a number of sorties against several positions within the city,and an Anbar Operations source has confirmed that at least 12 ISIL gunmen were killed in northeastern Ramadi.

In Fallujah today, the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city have, as per a General Hospital source, killed 8 residents, including 3 children and a woman, and wounded 9 others, in the northern and central residential districts of Fallujah.

In Garma, security forces have now penetrated 3 km. deep into the town and established control over the southern industrial sector and the areas between Garma and the Salahuddin Province boundary. Iraqi and Coalition air strikes are reported to have killed at least 4 ISIL gunmen and destroyed 4 of their vehicles that were about to be booby-trapped.

The humanitarian situation remains unchanged in various parts of Ramadi and Khalidiya, as well as the Amiriyat al-Fallujah, the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing, and the tourist village at Habbaniya. All the families at all these encampments are struggling with the summer heat, the lack of electricity, and severe shortages of food supplies.

26 June 2015

In Baghdadi, ISIL today attacked the township on two fronts: from the west and from the south, against the areas between Baghdadi and Haditha. Security forces with Iraqi air support were able to repel both attacks while killing 8 ISIL gunmen; however some security personnel within the town were wounded. Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes carried out a number of strikes that have enabled the security to maintain control of their positions. Meanwhile, military and humanitarian supplies have also reached the blockaded areas in Baghdadi township. People’s Mobilization militiamen have also been deployed to the area.  

In Ramadi, clashes are underway in the eastern and northeastern areas, while security forces are still blockading the city along its perimeter. Iraqi and coalition aircraft are continuing their strikes on a number of targets and positions within the city. There are reports that 3 ISIL gunmen, including a field commander, have been killed in the southern sector’s Hawz district.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source announced today that 8 residents were killed and 19 were wounded by thee ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been holding the city itself for over a year. The incoming fire struck a number of Fallujah’s residential districts.

In Garma, security forces have liberated portions of the town’s southern industrial district. The town’s center is still surrounded by security forces that are due to launch a final assault to wrest control of the center.

25 June 2015

In Hit township today, Iraqi gunships and coalition warplanes carried out a number of sorties, striking the Shari’a Courthouse and the agricultural complex in central Hit, where intelligence reports indicated that ISIL meetings and gatherings were underway at both locations. Subsequent contacts with sources within the town indicate that the bodies of dozens of ISIL gunmen were lying in the streets, and that ISIL commanders gathered at the courthouse were also killed. The strikes began early this morning and continued throughout the morning. The former Women’s Association building in Hit was also hit.

Meanwhile in Ramadi, the city is still fully besieged; large numbers of the People’s Mobilization fighters have also been deployed in support of the security forces around the city. Iraqi gunships and coalition warplanes have once again struck various areas of the city in advance of the imminent major ground military operation to liberate the city. The strikes are reported by Anbar Operations as having killed at least 11 ISIL gunmen. Security forces in the southern an southwestern sectors are continuing in their efforts to clear routes out of the city to enable residents to evacuate from ISIL-controlled districts.

In Fallujah, the intense bombardment of the city has continued for the tenth straight day; the General Hospital reported today that 9 residents, including 3 children and 2 women, were killed and 21 others wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges.

In Garma, the security situation remains unchanged, with security forces still trying to assault the town center after having cleared most of the surrounding areas and districts.

In western Anbar, security force have repelled ISIL’s advances from the southwestern sector of Haditha and the Jubba area across the river from Baghdadi.

24 June 2015

Iraqi aircraft have attacked number of positions today in the Akashat area of Al-Qaim township on the Syrian border. Sources have reported that at least 47 ISIL gunmen were killed in the raids.

The attacks were made following intelligence reports of special gatherings and meetings in that area.

In Ramadi, military operations are still ongoing along the city’s perimeter. Security forces have today killed at least 11 gunmen in the eastern and northeastern outskirts of Ramadi.

Iraqi air support has also struck targets and positions in central Ramadi; a number of civilians were killed by mortar fire striking the city’s central marketplace.

In Fallujah, heavy bombardment has again struck a number of the city’s residential districts. This was part of the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. A General Hospital source reported today that 7 residents have been killed and 19 wounded by the bombardments.

In Garma, fierce clashes are still going on and heavy bombardment has targeted the town’s central districts and the Sichir area. Six civilians have been killed and 3 wounded.

In Baghdadi, strong calls have been made bylocal residents to the central government for urgent food aid, following ISIL’s seizure of the town’s perimeter and the blockade it has imposed that has been preventing the arrival of any relief aid.

Meanwhile thousands of families are experiencing severe living conditions in Bzaybiz, Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, and Khalidiyah encampments.

23 June 2015

In Ramadi today, military preparations are continuing along the city’s perimeter; there have been some marginal clashes, especially in the eastern, southern, and southwestern sectors, but the major liberation campaign has not yet begun. Security forces have repelled an ISIL attack in the southwestern sector, and have opened up a number of routes that enable Ramadi’s residents to use in exiting the city. In the areas to the east and northeast of Ramadi, security forces supported by Iraqi gun ships have bombarded a number of positions in the Bu-Farraj, Juwayba, and Eastern Husayba, killing at least 11 gunmen according to security sources.

In Fallujah, which has during the past week been the scene of the heaviest bombardment ever by security forces, as well as by the ISIL gunmen who have been holding the city for more than one year. A General Hospital source has reported today that 11 residents, including women and children, were killed and at least 28 were wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges.

In Garma, with security forces close to achieving full control of the town, clashes are still going on, as are the mine and IED disarming operations within the town. Meanwhile, families have been returning to their homes in the outskirts and surrounding areas, following their liberation by security forces.

In Baghdadi, ISIL carried out a probing operation in the Jubba area, but were repelled by security forces that are reported to have killed 3 of the attacking gunmen. 

22 June 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces are still tightening their grip around the city’s perimeter, while some partial military operations are continuing in the areas northeast of the city – from Eastern Husayba and on to Juwayba and the areas across and along the Euphrates River. Security forces have also advanced to within 2 km from the ISIL front lines within the perimeter. Security forces have also carried out a partial operation in the city’s southwestern quadrant where they were able to liberate a number of Ramadi residents who had been under ISIL control. Meanwhile, Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have today struck a number of positions in various parts of the city, including the Hawz, Andalus, Bu-Farraj, and Bu-Ghanim areas. At least 9 ISIL gunmen, including one of their field commanders, were killed in the southern Andalus district.

In Fallujah, the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges are continuing between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city; 9 residents, including 3 women and 2 children were killed today and at least 24 were wounded in a number of the city’s residential districts by the exchanges.

Food and relief supplies are practically non-existent for the families stranded at the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing, and within the Amiriyat al-Fallujah, and Khalidiya refugee camps.

21 June 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces were able to advance toward the city’s eastern areas, particularly in Eastern Husayba and Juwayba. The forces are now about 2 km from the Anbar administrative boundary. Iraqi air support has struck a number of positions in the area and in the city’s northeastern sectors. Anbar Operations sources have reported that at least 13 ISIL gunmen were killed in the riverside areas on the opposite bank from Ramadi.

There have also been skirmishes instigated by ISIL gunmen in the southern and western sectors; the gunmen were turned back by security forces backed up by Iraqi air support.

In Fallujah, the continuing indiscriminate bombardments between the security forces holding the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen controlling the city itself have killed 9 residents, including women and children, and wounded at least 17. The incoming fire struck a number of the city’s central and northern residential districts.

In Garma, military operations are continuing while security forces have not yet been able to take full control of the town center. The ongoing clashes are the fiercest the township has witnessed for more than one year.

In Baghdadi and Haditha townships, ISIL gunmen attempted during the night to infiltrate Haditha’s western sector, but security forces with Iraqi air support have thwarted these attempts. Meanwhile the situation in Baghdadi is reported calm.

20 June 2015

In Ramadi today, joint security forces supported by People’s Mobilization fighters along the city’s perimeter thwarted two attacks by ISIL gunmen: the first was in the Eastern Husayba area east of Ramadi, where fierce clashes enabled security forces to fend off the attack, while Iraqi air support struck a number of ISIL convoys, setting ablaxe a number of their vehicles; the second attack was in the southwestern sector of the city, where security forces also turned back the attackers after fierce clashes with the gunmen.

Meanwhile Iraqi gun ships attacked a number of ISIL positions in northeastern Ramadi. Security forces are still in a  state of readiness for the imminent military campaign to liberate Ramadi. There are reports that Iraqi gun ships have dropped flyers calling on the residents to evacuate the city in order to stay out of harm’s way during the campaign.

In Fallujah today, military operations are underway in the city’s southwestern sector; 3 suicide bombers attempted to blow themselves up at a barracks in the sector, but were thwarted by security forces; 8 gunmen were killed in the ensuing clashes.

Security forces are still fighting over the control of Garma’s town center.

A Fallujah General Hospital source has reported that 3 children were and 9 residents wounded by the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen within the city.

In western Anbar, Haditha and Baghdadi Townships are relatively calm today; no clashes have been reported in either area.

The humanitarian situation is still unchanged, with hundreds or thousands of families still sheltering in refugee camps in Khalidiya, Habbaniya, Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, and at the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing. Food aid is only trickling in, while summer temperatures are exacerbating the suffering during these early days of Ramadan.

19 June 2015

In Ramadi, ISIL gunmen today launched numerous attacks, trying to gain ground in the eastern and northeastern areas of the city.

Security forces successfully thwarted the attacks, especially in the eastern Husayba and Jubba areas along both banks of the Euphrates. Iraqi air support has, since the early hours of this morning, carried out a number of sorties against positions believed to be manned by the gunmen. Security sources have reported that at least 23 gunmen were killed in the eastern sector of the city.

Clashes have also spread to the southern and southwestern sectors, where security forces have advanced and set up new front lines.

Meanwhile a security operation has given security forces control over all of the access roads between Hit and Ramadi.

In Garma today, security forces have declared their control over the town center, following a 10-day battle to achieve that goal.

Most of the roads and streets within the township had been mined and rigged with explosive devices that the advancing forces have been disabling during their advance into the town center. Four ISIL gunmen were killed by security forces in the outskirts of the town.

In Fallujah, an initial casualty count shows that 5 residents were killed and 9 were wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been controlling the city for over one year.

On the humanitarian front, high summer temperatures are adding to the suffering of the displaced migrants who are still struggling with food shortages and the lack of relief aid.

18 June 2015

An Anbar Operations source has announced that security forces have today succeeded in overrunning the center of Garma and have established control over broad portions of the center that is regarded as being one of the last of ISIL’s strongholds.

Meanwhile the Anbar Police Command has denied reports that an Iraqi Army helicopter has been shot down.

In Fallujah, clashes and mortar fire have intensified between the security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. The General Hospital reported today that 7 residents, including 2 children and one woman have been killed and 9 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges. 

In Ramadi, strict security measures and precautions are in place amid the military preparations in the city’s suburbs. Iraqi gun ships have again carried out air strikes in a number of Ramadi’s districts, including Hawz and Al-Andalus.

Elsewhere in Anbar, the commanding officer of the Jazeera and Badiya Operations, Nasser Al-Ghannam, has asked the Defense Ministry to relieve him of his command, apparently in response to ‘frivolous’ actions at the Ministry.

Security forces and Iraqi air support have thwarted ISIL attempts to gain control of the Baghdadi and Haditha areas. 

On this first day of Ramadan, hundreds of migrant families are still stalled at the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing and in Amiriyat al-Fallujah, where they are experiencing severe hardships coinciding with the rise in temperatures and the lack of foodstuffs and other humanitarian needs.

17 June 2015

In Ramadi’s outskirts, strict security measures are still in place and preparations are continuing for the imminent broad-scale campaign to liberate the city. The local police commander announced today that security forces are fully prepared for the ground campaign to liberate the city. 

Meanwhile fierce clashes took place along the city’s southern and southwestern perimeters, in addition to the eastern Husayba area and on towards the riverside areas in northeastern Ramadi.

Iraqi air support has carried out a number of sorties against targets along the perimeter of the city and also in its central districts. So far, Anbar Operations have reported that 7 ISIL gunmen were killed in the clashes and strikes. Meanwhile the city is fully blockaded by security forces. 

In Fallujah today, for the third consecutive day, has been heavily bombarded by mortar fire. The General Hospital has reported that 7 residents were killed and 9 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been holding the city itself for more than a year. 

In Hit township, Iraqi air units have struck a military camp known as the ‘Abu Mus’ab Al-Zarqawi Camp’ in the township’s southwestern sector. There are reports that at least 23 ISIL gunmen, including six of their leaders in the Hit area, were killed there. 

The Defense Minister arrived today in Haditha township. He ordered the urgent dispatch of relief aid to the Haditha and Baghdadi areas. 

In Garma, security forces have infiltrated into the town center, but fierce fighting is continuing for control of the town’s center.

16 June 2015

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, ISIL gunmen fired at least 25 Katyusha rockets at residential districts within the town. So far, reports say that 3 local police personnel were killed and 5 civilians were wounded by the bombardment. Security forces barracks on the outskirts of the township were also hit. A curfew has been declared in the southwestern sector of the township where fierce clashes are now underway.

In Ramadi, security forces are reported to be advancing from all four directions, in preparation for the broad military campaign aimed at re-taking control of the city that has been held by ISIL for over a month.

In Hit township, security forces announced this morning that the ISIL ‘Wali’ of Hit, a Saudi national known as Abu Talha, was killed by silenced weapons at 03:00 this morning in the town center. This is the first time that a leading ISIL commander has been killed in Hit that is still under ISIL control.

In Baghdadi and Haditha, clashes have continued in the southern and southwestern areas of Baghdadi township. Iraqi air support has struck a number of positions, particularly along the Euphrates in the Jubba area. Security forces have reported that 11 gunmen were killed in the strikes.

Food aid has arrived today in the Baghdadi and Haditha townships, just prior to the start of Ramadan.

In Fallujah, casualty reports show that 4 residents were killed and 9 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges.

In Garma, security forces are still engaged in the fighting to take control of the town center. 

15 June 2015

The Deputy Prime Minister, Baha’a Al-A’araji today visited the eastern Husayba area east of Ramadi where he observed the latest preparations for the launch of a broad military operation to liberate Ramadi. The Deputy PM was accompanied by a large number of commanders and parliamentary Deputies involved in overseeing the security situation throughout Iraq. The visit coincided with the arrival of new military equipment in Anbar. All of the security forces’ commanders had previously confirmed that preparations are in full swing for the impending military operation in Ramadi.

Meanwhile, security forces have launched a number of limited military operations all around the outskirts of the city. Iraqi air support and Coalition warplanes have also attacked a number of ISIL positions in central Ramadi. Eleven gunmen are reported to have been killed. Meanwhile ISIL have set up large video screens in Ramadi’s public areas, to show footage of the victories they have achieved over the past 18 months in Iraq. ISIL has also continued to forbid families from leaving the city. All of the roads around Ramadi have been mined and booby-trapped, to thwart the advance of security forces.

Coalition warplanes today launched air strikes against targets in Baghdadi, Kubaisa, and Saqlawiya.

In Baghdadi township, ISIL gunmen have attacked the Jubba area in the township’s southwestern sector. The attackers used a number of explosives-rigged vehicles and mortar bombardment in their assault on the areas controlled by security forces. The attack was repelled by security forces, Iraqi air support, and Coalition air strikes.

In and around Garma, fierce fighting is continuing, with security forces now in control of the surrounding areas and the areas separating Anbar from Salahuddin Province. Families have begun to return to Garma’s liberated districts while fighting is continuing for the control of the town’s center.

In Fallujah, reports are still emerging regarding an imminent all-out assault on the city, while the ISIL gunmen within the city have been preventing civilian families from leaving the city. Some residential districts have been hit by mortar fire, killing 2 residents and wounding 6. 

14 June 2015

In Baghdadi today, ISIL gunmen have assaulted a number of military barracks on the southwestern edges of the town, using 4 explosives-rigged vehicles, two of which were blown up by security forces before they reached their targets. Fierce clashes ensued, also involving Iraqi air support that struck several ISIL positions. The security situation in the area is one of caution, following reports of an imminent ISIL assault on the residential complex from areas across the river from the town.

Security forces, tribal fighters, and People’s Mobilization volunteers are engaged in fierce clashes in and around Garma, following the success of the joint forces in taking control of most of the areas between Garma and the Salahuddin - Samarra boundary.

The Defense Minister visited the liberated areas in Garma township where he undertook to provide the tribal forces with the weapons they need to hold the ground.

In Ramadi, the city is still fully blockaded amid reports of an impending military operation within the coming days, following the reinforcing and re-arming of the security forces around the city.

Iraqi and Coalition aircraft have carried out strikes in the Bu-Farraj area and on towards Shjariya, as well as the industrial and central districts of Ramadi. Casualty figures are not yet known.

In Fallujah, the General Hospital reported today that 3 residents were killed and 9 wounded by the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges into and out of the city.

13 June 2015

Since 04:00 this morning, ISIL gunmen have attacked the southwestern residential compound of Baghdadi. They reached the outer walls of the compound where a number of gunmen detonated the suicide vests they were wearing. But while the attackers were infiltrating into the compound, security forces supported by tribal fighters within the compound succeeded in turning back the attackers, as Iraqi gun ships targeted number of vehicles used in the attack. At least 21 of the gunmen were killed, according to a statement by the 7^th Division Commander at the Ayn al-Asad military base.

An Anbar Council source announced today the arrival of 80 U.S. military advisers at the Habbaniya Base; they are the first group of advisers who will be training the Iraqi security forces, particularly the Anbar volunteers of the People’s Mobilization fighters.

4 ISIL gunmen were killed in clashes in the eastern outskirts of Ramadi, between Al-Khalidiya to the east and Ramadi City. Military operations are continuing in eastern Ramadi. Iraqi air support has struck a number of sites in the various areas along the city’s perimeter.

Military operations are continuing in the assault on Garma Township, with security forces now in control of the southwestern sector of the township; fierce fighting is also continuing within the town, aand in the districts around its center.

In Fallujah, 4 residents are reported to have been killed and 9 wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been controlling the city for more than one year.

The humanitarian situation of the migrants sheltering in Amiriyat al-Fallujah and at the Bzaybiz Bridge remains unchanged, with many families sheltering in camps and in unfinished buildings, and still dealing with the severe food shortages and the lack of relief aid. They are calling for government action to provide them with the wherewithal to survive the approaching month of Ramadan.

11 June 2015

In Garma today, security forces have liberated the Jazeera area across the river from the town, after they had disabled more than 150 explosive devices planted by ISIL gunmen and killed a number of them, according to the 1^st Division Command.

Iraqi and Coalition warplanes also carried out numerous strikes in the township. Security forces are now 5 km from the town center that is still under ISIL control.

In Ramadi, the eastern sector has been the scene of a military operation during which security forces killed at least 23 gunmen in eastern Husayba.

Security forces are now closing in on ISIL positions in and around the city center, Iraqi air support has carried out a number of strikes

In various Ramadi districts at least 45 gunmen have been killed by the strikes in which Coalition warplanes also took part, in the Bu-Farraj, Andalus, and Hawz districts along the outskirts of the city.

Meanwhile ISIL gunmen have prevented many families from leaving Ramadi; the gunmen have been using them as human shields to thwart the security forces’ advance.

Meanwhile, families have begun to leave Fallujah, following confirmed reports that security forces, People’s Mobilization militiamen, and tribal fighters are preparing for an assault on the city. Here, too, ISIL gunmen have prevented some of the families from leaving, after security forces had bombarded a large number of ISIL positions, particularly in the city’s industrial zone that has been used by ISIL to booby-trap vehicles and to manufacture explosive devices.

In western Anbar, security forces are engaged in an operation across the river from Ramadi where they have killed at least 11 gunmen.

The humanitarian situation at the Bzabiz and Amiriyat al-Fallujah encampments remains unchanged but becoming more desperate because of the rise in temperatures.

10 June 2015

In Garma, broad military operations are still underway between the joint security forces supported by tribal fighters and People’s Mobilization militiamen against ISIL gunmen. Three gunmen have been killed and 4 explosives-rigged vehicles blown up before the gunmen could detonate them against the security forces. All the areas up to the southern outskirts of Ramadi have been cleared.

Meanwhile, Iraqi air support has struck a number of ISIL positions around Garma, where sources have reported that at least 17 gunmen were killed. Security forces are now poised to assault the Garma town center.

In Ramadi, security forces are facing the ISIL front line in eastern Husayba where fierce clashes have enabled security forces to advance onto the southern and western axes. Reinforcements and munitions supplies have been deployed to a number of areas on the outskirts of Ramadi, prior to the launch of the total assault on Ramadi. Iraqi gun ships have attacked a number of districts – from Bu-Farraj and on to the Hawz district in southernmost Ramadi. Ground forces have not yet been ordered to advance.

In western Anbar, the Jazeera Operations forces carried out a military operation in the desert areas between Haditha township and Anah township that is still controlled by ISIL gunmen. A direct route has been established between Haditha and Baghdadi and on to the Ayn al-Asad military base.

In Fallujah, heavy bombardment yesterday has, according to General Hospital sources, killed 6 residents and 9 wounded by the random bombardment of the city’s residential districts.

09 June 2015

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, 3 ISIL gunmen wearing military uniforms and explosive vests infiltrated the township’s Local Council after killing 3 security guards manning the entrance; the infiltrators clashed with security personnel inside the building in which the gunmen were killed, but not before one of them blew himself up, causing material damage near the office of the Council Leader, Sheikh Faisal Al- Issawi. A curfew was declared, but the town’s residential districts came under mortar fire. Clashes also took place in the town’s southwestern sector, while Iraqi gun ships struck targets along the town’s perimeter, blowing up a number of explosives-filled vehicles in the area.

Meanwhile in Ramadi, military operations continued in areas around the city, while security forces are still preparing their ground assault against ISIL; Iraqi and Coalition warplanes have struck some ISIL positions and gunmen concentrations in eastern Husayba, Juwayba, Bu-Farraj, and Bu-Ghanim area across the river. Air strikes and minor clashes have continued in Ramadi’s outlying areas.

In Hit, Iraqi and Coalition warplanes have carried out heavy strikes against the town’s industrial and suburban districts. Casualty figures have not yet been announced, but intelligence reports indicate that ISIL gunmen are gathering to launch an attack along a west-to-east route toward Ramadi.

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

Clashes have resumed in Garma township in the areas separating it from Abu-Ghraib township west of the capital, Baghdad.

07 June 2015

Joint Iraqi forces supported by tribal fighters and People’s Mobilization militiamen today established control over the Tigris Arm area that lies between three Provinces: Anbar, Salahuddin, and Mosul. Security forces have also taken control of the area along the boundary between Anbar and the areas adjacent to Samarra.

Meanwhile Iraqi aircraft and Coalition warplanes carried out a number of strikes on several areas of Tharthar and on to the areas across the Euphrates from Ramadi. Anbar Operations and Police sources are reporting that at least 23 ISIL gunmen were killed by the strikes.

The security situation in Ramadi: following the failed ISIL attack against the areas east of the city, security forces have advanced into areas that had been recently captured by the gunmen to the southwest of Husayba and the eastern outskirts of Ramadi; Iraqi gunships carried out a number of strikes on ISIL positions within the city, killing at least 7 gunmen gathered around an ISIL observation post facing the front lines in Ramadi. The Bu-Farraj and Bu-Ghanim areas were also struck.

Elsewhere in Anbar, Coalition warplanes struck an ISIL position in the area between Haditha and Baiji in Salahuddin Province, killing 3 of the gunmen.

In Fallujah, 3 residents were killed and 9 were wounded by the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been occupying the city for more than one year.

In Garma, 1^st Division sources are confirming that security forces have been able to penetrate 20 km into the township and that they are continuing their operations in the area against the ISIL gunmen holding the town center.

06 June 2015

In the early hours of this morning, ISIL gunmen launched a broad-based offensive on the eastern Husayba area in northeastern Khalidiya. The attack was launched on the eastern and northern sectors Security forces, People’s Mobilization militiamen, and tribal fighters were able to thwart the attack. Iraqi air support also launched a number of sorties, targeting some of ISIL’s military convoys that managed to occupy small portions of eastern Husayba, but were then driven out following the arrival of supporting forces.

In the Tharthar area, ISIL launched its second attack by detonating 4 explosives-rigged vehicles at Iraqi army positions, but they were detonated before they reached their targets.

Security operations in the western and southern outskirts of Ramadi are continuing and all those areas along the city’s perimeter are under security forces’ control. In the city’s northern sector, all the rural and outlying areas are surrounded by security forces.

Coalition warplanes have also launched strikes on the areas around Fallujah, particularly in the city’s southwestern sector. An ISIL convoy was hit, killing at least 14 of the gunmen. A second attack involved a friendly fire incident, when the warplanes hit positions held by security forces of the 1^st Division.

Meanwhile within Fallujah, 3 residents were killed and 7 were wounded by the ongoing  indiscriminate bombardment exchanges into and out of the city.

04 June 2015

In Ramadi, the Deputy Head of the Anbar Council announced that a broad military operation has been launched to retake control of the city’s outskirts, following the security forces’ success yesterday in taking control of the city’s southern and western sectors. Today’s operation was launched from the eastern and northern areas, from Khalidiya through Juwayba and eastern Husayba.

Also today, Iraqi and coalition aircraft launched a number of strikes targeting ISIL positions. Anbar Operations sources are reporting that local Ramadi residents are cooperating with security forces, and that at least 23 ISIL gunmen including some of their field commanders were killed in the air strikes.

Coalition warplanes have today launched massive air strikes against an ISIL convoy coming into Iraq from Syrian territory at the al-Qa’im border crossing. The convoy included more than 40 armored vehicles and some mobile military equipment. Sources are reporting that at least 100 gunmen were killed by the strikes.

Strikes were also carried out on the periphery of Haditha township that is still blockaded by ISIL gunmen. Meanwhile, reinforcements have arrived in Baghdadi.

03 June 2015

Ramadi city perimeter is still fully surrounded; there were clashes today on more than one front: in the city’s southern sector security forces are slowly advancing into the southern districts.

There were also clashes in Ramadi’s eastern and northern sectors since early this morning.

Within the city, ISIL has been still holding and shutting down the Ramadi Barrage to the west of the city, resulting in a major drop  in the water level in the Euphrates. Anbar officials are warning that ISIL’s continued closure of the barrage will adversely affect the water reaching eastern Anbar and on toward the southern Iraqi provinces.

Meanwhile, clashes, bombardments and Iraqi and coalition air strikes are continuing in the areas east of Ramadi and on into the central districts of the city.

ISIL is continuing its pressures on the youth in the areas they hold to join their ranks in fighting against the security forces.

Security sources are reporting fierce clashes in the areas between Samarra city and the Tharthar areas in southwestern Anbar. Security forces are advancing to take control of the Tharthar Barrage.

In Fallujah, 5 residents were killed and 7 wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

A number of districts in Garma have been bombarded and clashes are continuing in the Sheeha and Subayhat areas.

02 June 2015

Military reinforcements have today been deployed around, and surrounding, both Fallujah and Ramadi. There are reports that People’s Mobilization militiamen and security forces around Fallujah have given its residents 72 hours to evacuate the city prior to launching a massive military operation to liberate Fallujah that has been under ISIL control for more than a year.

In Ramadi, fierce clashes erupted today, allowing security forces to take full control of all the areas between the Euphrates and central Ramadi. In Juwayba east of Ramadi, a 12-member family was killed when an explosive device was detonated in that area.

In other clashes, security forces have taken control of the 35 km. area and the areas between Ramadi and Hit, leaving all the areas in that sector under security forces’ control. There are also reports that security forces will launch a military operation in the coming hours, following the shutting down of Ramadi’s water supply when ISIL closed all the sluice gates at the Warrar Barrage; water levels have fallen in Khalidiya and Habbaniya.

Iraqi and coalition aircraft have carried out strikes in a number of Ramadi’s districts, including the Bu-Farraj and surrounding areas, down to districts in the city’s southern sector.

In Fallujah, the ongoing random bombardment exchanges have killed 4 residents and wounded 9 others.

01 June 2015

In the Tharthar area north of Fallujah, an explosives-rigged armored vehicle driven by an ISIL gunman who  drove it up to the HQ of the 3^rd Division before detonating his cargo and himself, killing and wounding dozens of security personnel, especially Federal Police personnel at the location.

Meanwhile, Iraqi and coalition warplanes launched heavy strikes on the Tharthar and surrounding areas

In Ramadi, security forces clashed with ISIL gunmen in the city’s southern sector and on toward westernmost Ramadi. Security forces have also penetrated deep into the areas east of Ramadi where reports indicate that heavy military vehicles and artillery pieces have been arriving, as have large numbers of the People’s Mobilization militias. Ramadi has been totally cut off by security forces who are bombarding the city’s central districts.

In Fallujah, for the fourth consecutive day, particularly heavy bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the gunmen holding the city has wounded 19 civilian residents, mostly women and children, and killing 11 others.

In Garma township, clashes erupted in the Subayhat area where a booby-trapped home housing 5 ISIL gunmen was blown up.