31 July 2015

The Federal Police  Commander, Lt.-Gen. Ra'ed Jawdat, announced today the liberation of the Tell Al-Mushahid area east of Ramadi following military operations in which numerous units of the People's Mobilization, tribal volunteers, and security forces took part, killing at least 23 ISIL gunmen.

On the southwestern front of Ramadi, security forces have also liberated more ISIL-held areas. Meanwhile, fighting is continuing along the city's southern front and in the northern areas across the Euphrates from Ramadi City. Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have targeted ISIL positions within the city and along its perimeter, killing at least 11 gunmen, including an ISIL field commander in central Ramadi.

In Fallujah's southern sector, security forces have killed 5 ISIL gunmen and destroyed two explosives-rigged vehicles that had been intended to target a military barracks in the area.

Meanwhile, families are still leaving the city, using routes provided by the security forces, leading to western Fallujah. All the routes into and out of the city are now under the control of security forces.

In Garma, security forces are embroiled in fierce fighting around the town center which is now fully surrounded.

In western Anbar, the military is massing around Baghdadi ahead of the imminent liberation operation. In Haditha, security forces have raised their state of alert following reports of an imminent ISIL assault on the areas around the township that has been relatively quiet amid the ongoing military preparations.

28 July 2015

In Ramadi today, the city's eastern sector came under a fierce attack by ISIL gunmen who tried to approach the defensive front-line positions of the security forces in Eastern Husayba and Juwayba and the northern riverside areas. Security forces destroyed three explosives-rigged vehicles before they reached their targets. Anbar Operations are reporting that at least 33 ISIL gunmen were killed in the three-hour-long clashes in eastern Ramadi.

In southern Ramadi, security forces are still holding the Anbar University buildings and are forming their lines for an advance into the Ta'meem district in the southwest of the city. The forces also took control of the ceramics plant in westernmost Ramadi. Meanwhile Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have been launched against targets within the city and along its perimeter, killing at least 21 ISIL gunmen, as reported by Anbar Operations.

In Fallujah, security forces are still tightening their stranglehold on the city. An attempted ISIL attack on the areas around the Tharthar barrage has been turned back, and at least 13 gunmen were killed in the attempt.

In Garma, security force have succeeded in making penetrations into the town's center, but they have not yet taken full control of the center.

Meanwhile Anbar-sourced People's Mobilization units and some tribal volunteer units have completed their training and are to be deployed within the Anbar Emergency forces. 

27 July 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces have completed their control over the city's southern front, having announced that they have liberated all of Ramadi University's buildings and have reached the demarcation line of the Ta'meem district. Meanwhile, heavy equipment and reinforcements have been deployed in the city's southern sector. Security forces have also killed three would-be suicide bombers driving three explosives-rigged vehicles attempting to approach the Anbar University campus. All three vehicles were destroyed.

Security forces also launched a military operation east of Ramadi and into the areas leading to the southern sector.

In fierce clashes in Khalidiya, north of Ramadi, security forces have killed at least 35 ISIL gunmen.

Families are still making their way out of Ramadi, using access routes that have been cleared by security forces, especially from the southern and eastern sectors of the city. Meanwhile, intelligence reports indicate that ISIL gunmen are fleeing from within Ramadi toward Hit township.

In Fallujah, security forces have thwarted an ISIL attack on the Tharthar barrage area in southernmost Fallujah. Hundreds of families are still leaving the fully-surrounded city, but there are reports that the gunmen have resorted to using more than 4,000 families as human shields within the city.

Security forces are still closing in on Garma's town center and are now within about 3 kilometers from their goal.

The Jazeera and Badiya forces in western Anbar have announced that they have killed at least 17 ISIL gunmen, including 3 snipers, in the Baghdadi township when they attempted an attack on a military barracks in southwestern Baghdadi.

26 July 2015

Antiterrorism units, Rapid Deployment forces, supported by People's Mobilization forces, and tribal volunteers have taken control of Anbar University in southwestern Ramadi. Security forces  advanced on the campus from four fronts, taking up positions within the campus buildings, while fighting is continuing around the campus perimeter. Security forces are reporting that they have taken control of most of the university's buildings; they have also discovered a mass grave and a number of tunnels connecting the campus with the southern and southwestern sectors of Ramadi. Forces are now advancing into the Ta'meem district, and have taken control of the areas adjacent to Ramadi's eastern sector and on to the areas across the Euphrates from Ramadi City. Also today, Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have targeted numerous positions in and around Ramadi. At least 26 ISIL gunmen have been reported killed by the strikes.

In Fallujah, security forces are still fully surrounding the city. At least 17 ISIL gunmen were killed in clashes on Fallujah's eastern front as they attempted to attack a military barracks near the Fallujah-Baghdad Highway. Iraqi and Coalition aircraft have attacked and destroyed 3 vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition and making their way toward the city's northern and northeastern sectors. Security forces are also combing all of the terrain around the city's perimeter. Meanwhile, the gunmen are still preventing families from leaving the city and have been whipping those who try to circumvent their positions within the city. 

25 July 2015

Joint Security forces supported by People's Mobilization and tribal fighters have established full control of Ramadi's eastern front, further tightening their stranglehold on the city from every direction.

Security forces have also gained ground in the city's southwestern sector, toward the former Anbar Operations building.

Meanwhile, Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have targeted specific targets and position in central and southwestern Ramadi. There are reports that at least 35 ISIL gunmen were killed by the strikes.

Ramadi families are continuing to leave the city, and ISIL commanders have been fleeing toward the Province's western regions, specifically toward Hit township and its surroundings.

In Fallujah, security forces are strengthening their grip around the city by cutting off all access routes. There have, however, been clashes in the city's western outskirts. Iraqi air support and Coalition warplanes have struck a number of ISIL positions in and around the city, killing at least 20 of the gunmen.

In Garma, security forces are still surrounding the town center amid fierce clashes between them and the embattled ISIL gunmen within the center.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, mortar fire has struck a number of the town's residential districts, causing slight structural damage without causing any injuries. 

24 July 2015

The Federal Police Commander, Lt.-Gen. Ra'ed Jawdat, announced today the liberation of the Tell Al-Mushahid area east of Ramadi following military operations in which numerous units of the People's Mobilization, tribal volunteers, and security forces took part, killing at least 23 ISIL gunmen.

On the southwestern front of Ramadi, security forces have also liberated more ISIL-held areas. Meanwhile, fighting is continuing along the city's southern front and in the northern areas across the Euphrates from Ramadi City. Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have targeted ISIL positions within the city and along its perimeter, killing at least 11 gunmen, including an ISIL field commander in central Ramadi.

In Fallujah's southern sector, security forces have killed 5 ISIL gunmen and destroyed two explosives-rigged vehicles that had been intended to target a military barracks in the area.

Meanwhile, families are still leaving the city, using routes provided by the security forces, leading to western Fallujah. All the routes into and out of the city are now under the control of security forces.

In Garma, security forces are embroiled in fierce fighting around the town center which is now fully surrounded.

In western Anbar, the military is massing around Baghdadi ahead of the imminent liberation operation.

In Haditha, security forces have raised their state of alert following reports of an imminent ISIL assault on the areas around the township that has been relatively quiet amid the ongoing military preparations.

22 July 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces have taken control of the areas adjacent to the glass factory in the city's southwestern sector and have approached the former Anbar Operations headquarters in the western sector; airborne forces were also used  in the western sector action. The Special Forces command has reported that a major military operation has been launched to liberate the Anbar University campus in the southwestern sector; the forces have assaulted the campus amid fierce clashes in and around the campus.

To the east, security forces have advanced to the Eastern Gate of Ramadi that is adjacent to the Eastern Husayba, Khalidiya, and Juwayba areas, killing at least 17 ISIL gunmen.

In Fallujah, fighting is continuing along the city's southern perimeter, where security forces have killed at least 38 gunmen when they blew up three explosives-rigged vehicles before they could be used in attacking a number of military barracks in southwestern Fallujah. On the city's western perimeter, clashes have been underway in the Saqlawiya area.

A General Hospital sources have reported that  9 residents, including 3 women and 4 children, were killed and 23 others were injured by the continuing bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

21 July 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces in the southern sector are now 200 meters away from the Anbar University campus after having cleared all of the areas to the south. The forces, supported by People's Mobilization and tribal fighters, have also taken control of the areas between the university and western Ramadi. Fighting has also been taking place in the areas separating the city's outskirts and the Euphrates in the city's northern sector. Security sources are reporting that their forces now control 80% of the areas east and northeast of the city. Meanwhile, Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have been targeting positions around the city's perimeter and other ISIL positions within the city. Security forces have reported that at least 12 gunmen were killed by the strikes. Dozens of families are still making their way out of the city in response to loudspeaker calls for such an exit, even though ISIL gunmen have still been trying to prevent the evacuation.

In Fallujah, security forces have moved their front lines closer into the city; fierce clashes erupted in the Saqlawiya area, as the government forces stretched their control over the main Fallujah-Baghdad Highway. Indiscriminate bombardments by security forces on the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city have, according to the General Hospital's report, killed 7 residents, including 3 women and one child, and injured at least 23 others. Meanwhile ISIL gunmen are still preventing Fallujah residents from leaving their city. The ones that succeed in leaving are heading for the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing that has been closed for four days.

The humanitarian situation there is dismal, especially during the current summer heat, as a result of the shortages of foodstuffs and the lack of relief aid.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, ISIL mortar fire has again struck the town's southern reaches.

In Garma, security forces are still trying to fight their way into the town center. 

20 July 2015

In Fallujah today, ISIL gunmen have attacked the barracks of the the Iraqi army's 3rd Regiment in the industrial zone of southern Fallujah. The Regiment's commanding officer and 3 Iraqi soldiers were killed, as were at least 17 of the attacking gunmen. The fighting lasted for more than three hours, but security forces supported by Iraqi and Coalition air strikes were ultimately able to turn back the attackers.

In military operations along the city's perimeter, security forces have been reinforcing their positions while launching mortar and artillery attacks on ISIL positions in the outskirts of the city; security sources have reported that 9 ISIL gunmen, including 3 non-Iraqi Arab snipers were killed. The Fallujah General Hospital has reported that the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges have struck a number of residential districts, killing 3 residents and injuring 9.

In Garma, the Federal Police's 30th Regiment has clashed with ISIL gunmen around the town's center that is still the scene of fierce clashes for its control.

In Ramadi, General Ra'ed Jawdat of the Federal Police has announced that security forces have killed 11 ISIL gunmen in the Eastern Husayba Township in an attack mounted by government forces.

In Ramadi's southern sector, security forces have taken control of the entire highway connecting the southern and western districts of the city. Hundreds of families are still evacuating the city, and there have been loudspeaker calls upon the city's civilian to leave the city, in anticipation of the imminent assault on the provincial capital.

19 July 2015

In Ramadi today and after four days of fighting, security forces have been able to liberate the southern sector's Tash 1 and Tash 2 areas up to the Anbar University. Security forces and the 'Golden' Brigade  have announced that their forces are within one kilometer of the University where they have fully surrounded the campus.

Security forces have also liberated areas between Eastern Husayba and the Mudhef areas east of Ramadi. Iraqi and Coalition air craft and army artillery have also bombarded a number of ISIL-held positions along the eastern and northeastern fronts of Ramadi. The security forces have reported killing at least 72 ISIL gunmen, including 17 snipers, in the Ramadi clashes. Intelligence revealed today by Anbar Operations shows that ISIL gunmen are pulling back from the city's perimeter areas toward the Ramadi City center. Meanwhile ISIL families are evacuating the city, heading toward Hit Township. The gunmen have also blown up the 'Olympic Stadium' in Ramadi's western sector. They have also planted explosives in a number of the city's buildings that they plan to detonate as they withdraw. The gunmen are also pursuing some of their fighters who have abandoned the fight and fled.

In Fallujah, security forces have today completed the liberation of Saqlawiya Township in western Fallujah. Clashes in the city's outskirts have killed at least 12 gunmen. Meanwhile, large numbers of Fallujah families have been evacuating the city, heading for Baghdad via the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing. 15 ISIL gunmen who had infiltrated the ranks of the refugees were arrested there today and are being held by Anbar Police in Amiriyat Al-Fallujah.

In Garma, most of the town is now under security forces' control, but fierce fighting is continuing for the town's center.

In Haditha and Baghdadi, there have been clashes in the riverside areas across the Euphrates from Baghdadi and around the town's southern residential complex.

17 July 2015

In Ramadi  today, security forces have established control over areas around Ramadi while tightening their stranglehold on the eastern areas where they are now in total control of eastern Husayba and Juwayba, and of the areas across the river from the city. Fierce clashes have been underway in the eastern outskirts where 3 explosives-rigged were blown up before the ISIL gunmen could drive them toward their intended targets. Military operations have also been underway in the southern and southwestern outskirts of the city, and in the city's western areas. Iraqi and Coalition air strikes today have killed at least 13 ISIL gunmen in the southwestern sector. In northern Ramadi, security forces have taken control of the Ramadi-Fallujah Highway, and are now slowly advancing into the city. They are having to clear numerous explosive devices along their way, an effort that is hampering their advance. Meanwhile, security forces have established three routes through which many Ramadi families are departing the city.

In Fallujah, the city is surrounded on six fronts; military operations are underway in the city's southwestern outskirts, including Saqlawiya, and eastward alongside the Fallujah-Baghdad Highway. Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have also targeted ISIL positions within Fallujah. The General Hospital is reporting that 8 residents, including one child, have been killed, and at least 15 injured, including 4 women.

Air strikes have also been launched at the areas around Garma, but in spite of the advances made by security forces into the town, they have yet to take full control of the town center.

Meanwhile ISIL gunmen are still preventing civilians from leaving Fallujah where they are using them as human shields, but security forces have been able to establish two routes that Fallujah families can use to leave the city. Those who left are still stranded and facing the closure of the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing.

15 July 2015

Military operations are underway in various parts of the province for the third straight day within the overall major campaign to liberate all of Anbar by expelling all the ISIL gunmen from the province.

In Fallujah, security forces are blockading the city on six fronts. During the night, the security forces took control of the main highway to Baghdad. Meanwhile, there have not been any direct confrontations between the forces and the ISIL gunmen within the city, as Iraqi air strikes have been targeting ISIL positions and concentrations. 23 gunmen have been confirmed killed in various parts of the city. Security forces have also opened a number of routes that are allowing Fallujah residents to leave the city after having been prevented from doing so by the gunmen.

In Ramadi, security forces have succeeded overnight in advancing deeper into the city from a number of directions while liberating the outlying areas.

The successes achieved have been somewhat surprising, as the areas the security forces are now liberating had been firmly under ISIL control for a long time.

13 July 2015

At 02:00 today, the launch of the major military operation to liberate Anbar was announced. Fallujah was the scene of the initial action, with a six-pronged assault: mainly in the southern, western, and northwestern sectors. Security forces on the city's perimeter have reported that they have advanced about 200 meters from their original positions. Heavy aerial bombardment targeted many of the city's outskirts in addition to the central districts. Security forces have also reported that they lured a large number of ISIL gunmen into an ambush they set up at a military barracks, killing at least 23 gunmen.

A major military operation was also launched in Ramadi from four fronts: in the southern, eastern, and southwestern sectors. An ISIL field commander was killed in the fighting in the northeastern sector of the city. Anbar Operations have announced that the air campaign is still continuing and that the ground offensive has not yet been launched on Ramadi. Meanwhile Iraqi and Coalition air attacks have been targeting positions in Ramadi, Fallujah, and Garma.

Meanwhile, Anbar Operations, Anbar Police, and the Defense Ministry have confirmed that more than 10,000 fighters are involved in the campaign, in addition to more than 5,000 tribal volunteers.

Security forces have also announced that the campaign will increase in scope to include the Province's western regions: Hit, Ana, Rawa, Haditha, Rutba, Al-Qaim have not yet seen any of today's action but will be included in the upcoming phase of the campaign.

There have also been reports indicating that the ISIL commanders in Fallujah - particularly the foreigners - have been fleeing the city, and sources are reporting that 12 ISIL gunmen were killed in Fallujah - a first for Fallujah in over a year. Reports are also indicating that many of the explosions in Fallujah were detonated by units previously infiltrated into the city by security forces.

12 July 2015

In Fallujah today, security forces have strengthened their stranglehold on the city’s perimeter. The city had been subjected to intensive bombardment since dawn yesterday, throughout the day, and on into the early hours of this morning. Security forces are increasing their state of readiness, amid reports that this is in fact the start of the military operation, but these reports were denied. The liberation assault on the city is now reported as being imminent. Military reinforcements have also been deployed around the city, while air strikes have been targeting ISIL positions within the city. People’s Mobilization fighters have also been deployed, and two of their commanders – Hadi Al-Amiry and Mehdi Al-Muhandis – have also arrived to take part in the ground offensive on the city. However, heavy mortar and rocket fire has struck a number of the city’s residential districts, causing large numbers of civilian casualties. The General Hospital reported today that 17 residents have been killed, including 4 women and 5 children, and 19 have been injured by the bombardment.

In Ramadi, security forces are poised for a major assault that could coincide with the assault on Fallujah; Iraqi air support has again been striking targets and positions around and within the city, specifically to the east of the city and in its southern sector.

In Saqlawiya, security forces have announced their complete control of the southwestern areas of the township west of Fallujah.

In Garma, fierce fighting is continuing for the control of the town center, while the township’s surroundings have all been liberated. 

11 July 2015

In Khalidiya today, security forces have liberated the Bu-Flays area of the township, one day after it was occupied by ISIL gunmen. In fierce clashes the forces killed at least 19 of the gunmen, according to security sources.

Meanwhile Iraqi and Coalition air strikes against targets along Ramadi’s perimeter, hitting a number of ISIL positions where the gunmen are suspected of preparing for a new assault on the areas east of Ramadi. Those eastern areas have today been re-supplied with weapons and military transports and vehicles, in addition to large numbers of tribal fighters. Military operations are meanwhile continuing in Ramadi’s southwestern sector in the areas across the Euphrates from Ramadi City.

Families are continuing to leave Ramadi following the security forces’ success in opening a breach in the ISIL lines.

In Saqlawiya today, security forces have liberated all of the township’s areas to the west of Fallujah.

Within Fallujah, the city is fully surrounded; indiscriminate mortar bombardment exchanges between the security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. A General Hospital source has reported that 9 residents have been killed and 15 injured by the mortar fire; most of the dead and injured are women and children.

In Garma, ISIL gunmen are still controlling the town center, but security forces are controlling most of the areas and districts around the center.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, the township is still bracing for a further assault by ISIL gunmen onto the strip separating the township from Fallujah City.

10 July 2015

At dawn this morning, ISIL launched a broad military operation against the Khalidiya township east of Ramadi. It was a three-pronged attack: from Khalidiya Island, the Bu-Hazeem area, and the areas lying between Khalidiya Township and Ramadi City. The ISIL attackers used 7 explosives-rigged vehicles in assaulting the eastern areas of the Province; mortar fire and handheld weapons were also used by the gunmen. Initially, the ISIL gunmen advanced into eastern Husayba and its surroundings, but the intervention by Iraqi air support enabled the security forces and tribal fighters to turn back the attackers and to retake all of the areas initially overrun by the gunmen, Security forces have reported killing 11 ISIL gunmen in the fighting. Iraqi air units bombed and sank a number of boats that the gunmen used in crossing the Euphrates at Khalidiya. Six ISIL vehicles and transports were also hit and set ablaze. 2 ISIL snipers were also killed. Meanwhile, reinforcements and volunteers have been deployed to bolster the security forces’ positions at Khalidiya.

In central Ramadi, Iraqi air units have carried out strikes against ISIL positions within the city; 5 gunmen were killed by the strikes.

Security forces have established control over 75-80% of the Saqlawiya area of southwestern Fallujah. Iraqi air strikes on the area have killed at least 11 ISIL gunmen.

In Fallujah, heavy indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city have, according to a General Hospital source killed at least 11 residents, including women and children, and injured at least 27 others.

In Garma, security forces are reporting fierce battles for the control of the town center. Earlier reports stated that an ISIL field commander was killed in the Garma area.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, strict security measures were imposed following the ISIL attack on Khalidiya Township. 

09 July 2015

The Anbar Council announced today that more than 70% of the Saqlawiya area is now under the security forces’ control. The Council also stated that the next phase will be an assault on Fallujah to liberate it from the ISIL gunmen, reaffirming that Fallujah is now fully surrounded by security forces. Meanwhile the central and northern districts of the city have been bombarded from the air. The ongoing indiscriminate bombardment between the security forces and the ISIL gunmen has, according to a General Hospital source, killed 7 residents, including 3 women and a child, and injured 19 others.

In Garma, security forces have killed 5 ISIL gunmen in their continuing drive to enter and liberate the town center, given that all the access roads and streets have been mined and many buildings have been rigged with explosives by the gunmen. Meanwhile, security sources have reported that their forces have liberated all of the areas between Garma twnship and the the administrative boundary with Salahuddin Province.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah since yesterday evening, the township has been bombarded by ISIL mortar fire. At least 30 mortar rounds have struck a number of the town’s districts, causing major structural damage within the town.

In Ramadi, strict security measures are being enforced all around the city’s perimeter, while fierce clashes have been underway in eastern Husayba and Juwayba, east of the city. Coalition and Iraqi air strikes have once again targeted a number of ISIL positions within the city: there are reports that 7 gunmen have been killed by the strikes.

In Baghdadi, strict security measures are in force, following a number of ISIL attacks during the past two days. Clashes between security forces and attacking gunmen erupted in the southwestern sector of the town where the town’s residential complex is located.

08 July 2015

In Saqlawiya and the areas around Fallujah, fierce clashes are continuing in the areas west of Fallujah, aimed at establishing a stranglehold on the ISIL-held city, prior to the awaited military operation to liberate the city.

In Garma, ISIL gunmen are preventing resident families from fleeing to safer areas outside the township, while some families have been killed while attempting to make their way out. The residential districts in Saqlawiya have been hit by mortar fire. Two families, each one consisting of 8 members were all killed by the gunmen. The mortar bombardment killed at least 23 residents, mostly women and children, and wounded at least 29 in and around Saqlawiya.

In Fallujah, the General Hospital has reported that 12 residents, including 3 women and 4 children, were killed and at least 19 were wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces holding the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen occupying the city. The city’s central and northern residential districts were most affected by the incoming bombardment.

In Ramadi, security forces are still holding the entire perimeter of the city, while aerial attacks are being launched against ISIL positions and concentrations within the city’s northern and northeastern districts. Other air attacks have similarly targeted positions in the southern sector.

07 July 2015

In Fallujah today, the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city have, according to the latest General Hospital count, killed at least 42 residents, including women and children, and wounded at least 72. The incoming fire struck the central and northern residential districts, and Saqlawiya, Sichir, and Nu’aymiya. There has also been a mass migration of Fallujah civilians trying to find safer areas elsewhere.

Meanwhile Iraqi gun ships and Coalition warplanes have carried out air strikes on a number of ISIL positions, reportedly killing at least 23 gunmen.

In Garma, fighting is continuing around the town center that security forces have not yet been able to enter. Most of the towns, other districts and environs have also been the scenes of clashes and bombardments.

In Ramadi, strict security measures are still in place around the city’s perimeter, while security forces have turned back a number of probing attacks east of Ramadi, and in the city’s northern sector.

Iraqi gun ships have again targeted a number of ISIL positions all over the city. There were also clashes in the southwestern sector of the city, and security forces were able to blow up 3 explosive-rigged vehicles

ISIL gunmen have carried out attacks in Haditha, Baghdadi, Haqlaniya, and Birwana; security forces successfully turned back the attacking gunmen. There have also been clashes in southwestern Haditha. Iraqi air support and Coalition warplanes have also been in action against targets along Haditha’s perimeter.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, security forces have reported that ISIL mortar fire has struck within the town, wounding 4 civilians and causing heavy structural damage to buildings within the town.

06 July 2015

In Haditha today, ISIL has launched the second attack of its kind in two days, from the east and from the northwest of the township. The attack involved six explosives-rigged vehicles that attempted to penetrate into parts of Haqlaniya and Khasfa, but security forces with Iraqi air support bombed three of the vehicles before they could reach their targets. The other three vehicles became involved in a direct confrontation. The ensuing clashes are still continuing, amid reports that ISIL forces are planning further attacks.

Also today, ISIL launched an attack on Baghdadi that lies between Hit and Haditha. Security forces repelled two attacks: from the east and from the southwest. Many mortar rounds were fired by the gunmen at the residential complex in southwestern Baghdadi. Security forces have announced that they are in control of the situation, although some skirmishes are still taking place.

Beginning last night, security forces are involved in a major military operation to liberate the Saqlawiya area in the countryside of Fallujah. They have liberated the Technical Institute building in Saqlawiya and the Saqwlawiya Bridge that links the area to Fallujah. ISIL gunmen have been preventing Saqlawiya residents from fleeing to other areas of the Province.

The Fallujah General Hospital has confirmed that 24 civilians were killed and at least 59 wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

05 July 2015

In Ramadi today, Iraqi gun ships struck a location being used as a playground by children in central Ramadi. The latest casualty count lists 36 residents as being killed and 24 as being wounded. This represents the highest number of casualties to fall in a single incident.

In Haditha, an ISIL attack using 6 explosives-rigged vehicles was launched from the western outskirts of the town. Security forces were able to destroy the vehicles and to thwart the attack aimed at seizing the town’s western sector. All of the gunmen aboard the vehicles were killed.

In Garma, security forces are still surrounding the town center but they have not been able to overrun the ISIL position in the center, but they have killed at least 9 of the gunmen.

People’s Mobilization fighters have taken control of the ‘Japanese’ Bridge and three Saqlawiya areas in the southwestern outskirts of Fallujah. The areas across the bridge have also been taken over by security forces.

In Fallujah, the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city has resulted in the killing of at least 17 residents including 4 children and 3 women, and wounding at least 28 by the bombardment of the city’s central and northern residential districts.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, stringent security measures are still in place, ahead of an expected ISIL attack. Meanwhile, ISIL mortar has caused material damage within the town but there were no casualties. 

04 July 2015

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source announced today that at least 21 residents were killed and at least 35 were wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been holding the city for more than one year. The affected areas have been the central and southern residential districts. 4 civilians were also killed and at least 17 were wounded in the Saqlawiya area that also sustained extensive material damage.

In Garma, there have been fierce clashes between security forces attempting to move into and seize the town center and the ISIL gunmen who are still in control of the center. A number of gunmen were killed, including one of their leading snipers.

In Ramadi, security forces are still surrounding the city; they have not yet advanced on the ground, while air attacks are being launched against targets and positions in central, northern, and southwestern sectors of the city. Anbar Operations have reported that at least 11 ISIL gunmen have been killed by the air campaign.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, mortar, rocket, and artillery fire has struck the town’s residential districts, wounding 3 residents. Meanwhile, security forces are still enforcing a curfew on the township’s southern and southwestern sectors in anticipation of an imminent reported ISIL attack.

02 July 2015

In the areas between Garma and Fallujah, ISIL has launched a number of attacks on the military barracks in the southwestern sector of Fallujah and the areas around Garma township. A number of security personnel and People’s Mobilization fighters were killed and more recent reports indicate that at least 18 of the ISIL gunmen were killed. Within Fallujah, heavy mortar and artillery bombardment as part of the daily bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city, has, according to General Hospital sources, killed 13 residents and wounded 9, mostly women and children. 

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, a curfew has been in place since yesterday evening throughout the town, in anticipation of a reported imminent ISIL attack on the township. 

In Ramadi, security forces are maintaining their stranglehold around the city’s perimeter. The forces have gained ground into the eastern reaches of Ramadi. Iraqi gun ships have once again struck a number of targets and ISIL positions. Reports indicate that at least 22 gunmen were killed in those strikes in Ramadi’s southeastern and southwestern sectors. 

In Baghdadi and Haditha, the situation remains unchanged, with residents experiencing severe hardship as a result of the huge shortages of food and medical supplies.