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.

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.

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.

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.

04 May 2015

Security forces have established total control over the highway between Haditha and Baiji in Salahuddin Province. The forces also blew up the booby-trapped tankers that ISIL gunmen were trying to use in attacking security checkpoints and positions in the area. The forces also cleared more than 25 explosive devices laid by the gunmen. Four suicide bombers intending to attack the main entrance to Haqlaniya in Haditha township were also killed.

Regarding the continuing military operations in Ramadi, the Anbar Operations Commander announced today that a position at the Anbar University in southwestern Ramadi that has been reported to be an ISIL stronghold, was shelled, and that Abu Qutaiba al-Mar’awi, an ISIL commander, and five of his aides were killed.

Military operations in Sufiya and Bu-Farraj in eastern and northeastern Ramadi are continuing and security forces are now in control of the Street 40, Street 60, and Street 100 areas.

A member of the Anbar Council confirmed today that more than 70 families have returned to their homes today in Ramadi.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source reported today that 3 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

The Defense Minister today visited the Garma area. He stressed that security forces have achieved major victories against ISIL in the area.

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. 

26 March 2015

In Ramadi, security forces carrying out the military operation in the northeastern sector have succeeded in liberating another part of Garma township, and have killed at least 22 ISIL gunmen in the fierce clashes. Meanwhile, the Garma town center is still fully surrounded, and dozens of families have been evacuating the town fearing becoming caught up in the impending assault on the town. Coalition and Iraqi aircraft have carried out strikes against positions around and within Garma, At least 13 gunmen have been reported killed as a result.

In Ramadi city, ISIL gunmen attempted this morning to advance toward the city center from the southwestern sector. Iraqi air strikes have been reported by security sources as having killed at least 20 ISIL gunmen. Meanwhile clashes have resumed in the Hawz and surrounding districts, units of the ‘Golden’ Division, security forces, and tribal fighters have repelled the attack and prevented the gunmen from advancing into the city.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has reported that 4 residents have been killed and 11 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges between the security forces surrounding the city and the ISIL gunmen within it.

Strict security measures have been enforced around Ramadi and in the areas between Anbar and Salahuddin Provinces. Meanwhile security forces have today launched their assault on Tikrit, an important reason behind the enhanced security precautions.

In Baghdadi, heavy clashes have been raging in the areas across the Euphrates from the town, where ISIL gunmen are still maintaining their presence.

19 March 2015

In Garma, fierce clashes are continuing as ISIL gunmen have withdrawn to the township's southwestern sector where coalition and Iraqi airstrikes have targeted the gunmen's positions. Anbar Operations sources are reporting that at least 53 gunmen have been killed. Meanwhile security forces have maintained their control over the central and eastern sectors

Security forces have also cleared the highway between Haditha and the Baiji area in Salahuddin Province. At least 116 explosive devices planted by ISIL gunmen have been secured and removed from the roadsides. Security forces have also taken up positions aimed at preventing the gunmen from moving between the two provinces.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has reported that 7 residents have been killed and 13 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. Meanwhile reports indicate that security forces are planning an assault to liberate the city, probably after the completion of the ongoing operation to liberate Tikrit.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, a new local government leader has been elected in the township; a recruitment center is to be opened in the town to receive tribal volunteer fighters for the coming battle for the liberation of Fallujah.

In Ramadi, the southern and northeastern sectors have been relatively calm today, but the Hawz district has been the scene of low-level clashes. In the early hours of this morning coalition and Iraqi airstrikes targeted ISIL positions in the area lying between western Ramadi and the city's center.

15 February 2015

In Baghdadi, the Anbar Operations command announced today the start of a three-pronged military operation aimed at restoring control over this vital area that encompasses the Ayn al-Asad military base. The operation began in the Haditha area toward Baghdadi from the west. The second part of the operation began at the Ayn al-Asad base toward the opposite bank of the Euphrates. The third part of the operation was carried out by the 7th Division from its headquarters in the central and southern sectors of Baghdadi. Meanwhile there are reports that large quantities of arms and ammunition, as well as forces from the 'Golden Division' have arrived in the area of Baghdadi in order to liberate the town from the ISIL presence established during the last three days. There are also reports that ISIL has deployed more than 1,000 of its gunmen from the Syrian town of Raqqa to Baghdadi.

In Ramadi, security forces have successfully pushed back the gunmen from the government complex in central Ramadi. The complex is home to more than 2,500 families of the security forces and the local government officials.

In Khalidiya northeast of Ramadi, the local 'Awakenings' leader, Odeh al-Khalidi, announced that 6 gunmen attempted to assault the town while a surprise ISIL offensive in the area was being driven back.

Meanwhile, security forces have announced that they have secured the main highway between Anbar and Samarra city in Salahuddin Province.

Also in Ramadi, there are reports that an ISIL attack on the city's southern sector has been repelled.

In the northeastern Shjariya area, an announcement today stated that 90% of the area and the neighboring Bu-Ghanim area is now under the control of security forces who are now dealing with pockets of ISIL resistance.

In Fallujah, a medical source has announced that the general hospital has not received any casualties  today following yesterday's lull in the bombardment exchanges.

In Garma, more than 60 explosive charges have been disarmed and a number of ISIL's bomb-making locations have been bombed. 

29 January 2015

Anbar Police commander Kadhum Al-Fahdawi announced today that 3 villages in the Shujariya area northeast of Ramadi have been liberated, and that 23 ISIL gunmen were killed in the fighting. The roads in and around the area have been cleared and secured. The ISIL field commander in the region was also killed.

A security sources has announced that coalition warplanes have launched a number of airstrikes against a number of ISIL convoys in Rutba township, killing 11 gunmen.

In the Horan area between Baghdadi and Haditha, the ISIL 'Wali' for the area was confirmed killed by U.S. military personnel operating out of the Ayn Al-Asad Base in the area.

A military operation in the Birwana area of Haditha township has been assaulted by security forces on four fronts and liberated. Security sources are reporting that 17 gunmen were killed.

In Fallujah, a medical source has announced today that two residents were killed and five were wounded by the continuing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, the township came under mortar fire but no casualties have been reported.

Clashes have resumed today in the southern and northern sectors of Ramadi . Coalition warplanes are reported to have carried out strikes in the area between Anbar and Salahuddin Provinces.

28 January 2015

The Anbar SWAT commander, Col. Sha'atan Al-Obaidi, has announced that his forces, supported by tribal fighters, have established control of all the villages in Baghdadi township between Hit and Haditha, including the area across the Euphrates from Baghdadi town. Fierce clashes erupted this morning in which all medium and heavy weapons were deployed, and at least 13 ISIL gunmen were killed in the fighting.

Direct flights between the Ayn Al-Asad Base and the capital, Baghdad, have transported hundreds of civilians wanting to leave Baghdadi.

In Ramadi, violent clashes erupted when ISIL gunmen attempted to penetrate into the city from its southern sector. Security forces supported by coalition warplanes and Iraqi air units have repelled a number of attacks between dawn today and into the afternoon. Anbar Operations sources report that 3 ISIL snipers positioned on the roofs of buildings in Hawz district were killed.

To the northeast, a secondary military operation in the rural tribal areas; security forces have taken control of the industrial zones near the banks of the Euphrates, across from Ramadi city. In the Shjariya fighting today, 23 ISIL gunmen have been reported killed and at least 100 explosive devices have been disarmed in a number of homes.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has reported today that 4 residents were killed and 7 wounded by the indiscriminate shelling between ISIL gunmen holding the city and security forces around its perimeter.

In Garma. violent clashes erupted in the area lying between Anbar and Salahuddin Provinces, and in the township's industrial zone. Incoming mortar fire on a number of the town's residential districts has wounded 7 residents.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, at least 20 ISIL mortar rounds have struck the township, wounding 4 civilians. There have also been clashes in the areas between the township and the boundary of neighboring Babil Province.

Coalition warplanes have again struck at a number of ISIL convoys in western Anbar. Security sources report that many of the gunmen were killed by the airstrikes.

18 January 2015

Anbar Operations Command and the SWAT Command announced today from Baghdadi that the road between Baghdadi and Haditha township has been secured following the liberation of three of the area's villages. They also announced that 17 ISIL gunmen were killed in the fighting.

On the opposite side of Haditha, security forces have repelled a surprise attack by the gunmen trying to infiltrate into Haditha. Seven of the gunmen were killed, including 3 non-Iraqi Arabs.

Coalition warplanes have launched a number of strikes, ranging westward from Haditha to Ana, Rawa, and the border township of Al-Qaim on the Iraqi-Syrian-Jordanian border. The strikes targeted a number of ISIL positions, killing dozens of the gunmen, according to security sources.

In Ramadi, a number of ISIL mortar rounds have struck several areas of western and central  Ramadi, killing 2 residents and wounding 17, mostly women and children.

In southwestern Ramadi, fierce clashes have resumed in the sector's residential districts. The Anbar Police Commanded reports that gunmen have been killed in the fighting.

An official statement today has declared that the Shujaria area has been completely cleared and all mines and explosive devices have been disarmed and removed from the roads and buildings in the area.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has confirmed that 2 residents have been killed and 25 wounded following the resumption of clashes and indiscriminate bombardments. Clashes also resumed today in Garma's industrial zone and the its southern sector at the junction of roads leading to Fallujah and to Salahuddin Province.

The tribal elder members of the Anbar delegation in Washington DC have expressed their satisfaction over the visit aimed at reaching a strategic agreement that would enable the U.S.-led coalition to fight ISIL in Anbar and to form and equip a tribal fighting entity to combat ISIL in Iraq's western region, particularly in Anbar.

15 January 2015

Security forces supported by tribal fighters have today succeeded in surrounding the western town of Rutba. There are reports that an assault on the town is imminent, supported according to Anbar Operations sources, by U.S. military advisers.

Also today, an Operations source confirmed that coalition warplanes targeted an ISIL convoy on its way from Al-Qaim on the Iraqi - Syrian border towards Haditha/Baghdadi. The entire convoy was destroyed and dozens of ISIL gunmen were killed.

In Haditha, the local Council leader, Abdul-Hakeem Al-Jughaifi, announced today the launching of a military operation to liberate the Alous an Bu-Hayat areas, between Baghdadi and Haditha.

In southwestern Baghdadi today, fierce clashes have been underway in those area across the Euphrates from Baghdadi town. There have been no statements yet about the outcome of the fighting. Yesterday, the SWAT commander in Baghdadi, Sha'aban Al-Obaidi, stated that security forces have liberated all the areas around Jubba village on the southwestern outskirts of Baghdadi.

In Fallujah, the General Hospital reported today that 4 residents have been killed and 17 wounded by the ongoing mortar-fire exchanges.

Clashes have also resumed today in Garma, where security forces have killed at least 17 ISIL gunmen following their takeover of the town's industrial zone, along the boundary between Anbar and Salahuddin Provinces.

Military operations are continuing in Amiriyat Al-Fallujah. A number of ISIL-launched mortar rounds have struck the town, injuring 11 civilians, mostly women and children.

In Ramadi, the city has been relatively calm today, but some minor clashes have been reported in the city's southern and western sectors.

More than 300 explosive devices have been disarmed today along the Shujariya area's roads and in a number of the areas houses.

03 December 2014

In Kubaysa, at the southernmost part of Hit, coalition warplanes today targeted an ISIL convoy consisting of five vehicles and a fuel tanker. Sources say that at least 45 ISIL gunmen were killed in the raids. Following the raids, there were clashes around the town that is still partially controlled by security forces.

In Ramadi, the three-pronged security operation is ongoing in the western, southern, and northern sectors of the city. Security forces announced today that they have seized control of large areas of those areas, killing at least 56 gunmen, mostly on the northern front.

In Hit, Sheikh Na'eem Gu'oud of the Bu-Nimr clan threatened today that his clan would cease fighting ISIL if the central government in Baghdad does not provide assistance, particularly military assistance, to his tribesmen who have been fighting ISIL for nearly two months.

In Fallujah, an intensification of the clashes and random bombardment exchanges has killed or wounded at least 14 residents.

The areas east of Fallujah along the boundary with Salahuddin Province have been the scene of intermittent clashes. Security sources are saying that the clashes are still continuing.

In Haditha and Baghdadi, final preparations are underway to arm and prepare the tribal volunteer fighters at Ayn Al-Asad military base for the major operation aimed at liberating the whole area around the towns.

01 December 2014

ISIL gunmen have carried out attacks on a military barracks at the Al-Waleed border crossing with Syria. It is probably the last position that has not been captured by ISIL. Sixteen military personnel have been killed in the attack, including one officer. The position is part of the Rutba township that has beeen uder ISIL control for nearly six months. Iraqi and coalition aircraft have launched airstrikes on the area bordering both Syria and Jordan, targeting the gunmen's positions, with 31 gunmen reported killed.

In Ramadi, security forces announced today that ISIL gunmen have today launched a major surprise attack on three fronts: the first, in the northwestern sector, in an attempt by the gunmen to seize control of the Abu Risha area, but were repelled by tribal fighters who killed 3 of the gunmen; the second attack was on the southern sector in the Hawz district where previous clashes are still ongoing; the third attack was in the eastern sector in the areas along the Euphrates, but the security forces engaged the gunmen in fierce clashes and were able to spread their control and clear the roadside explosive devices on both banks of the river.

In Fallujah, gunfire and bombardment exchanges are continuing, with residential districts being hit indiscriminately. The city's General Hospital has reported that 4 residents have been killed and 11 wounded.

There were also clashes to the east in the areas along the boundary with Salahuddin Province. Coalition warplanes have been involved there but we do not yet have any details. The overall situation indicates an escalation by the security forces trying to recover control of those areas,

In Hit, security forces are still controlling the town's perimeter areas, while families are still evacuating the town following the previously announced intention to launch a major security operation supported by tribal forces, in order to liberate Hit town.

02 November 2014

In Ramadi today, the security forces have adopted a new style of military operations, especially in the city's western districts. A security sources has announced that security forces moved into the western districts and have taken control of the district that separates the western sector from the city's central districts, killing at least 14 ISIL gunmen.

In the Khalidiya district, there have been fierce clashes since the early hours of this morning, while Iraqi aircraft targeted some positions in the area, causing casualties among the gunmen.

In southwestern Ramadi, security forces say that they have retaken the initiative and have taken control of critical locations in the area.

In Hit, Sheikh Na'eem Gu'ood told us over the phone that ISIL have executed 62 people of the Bu-Nimr tribe, most of whom have been displaced from the central Euphrates region. Their bodies were found in the Tharthar area. Meanwhile there are still 275 Bu-Nimr tribal members missing, having been abducted by ISIL gunmen as hostages from their residential districts.

In Baghdadi, the municipal director, Naji Arrak, stressed today that his township has for 35 days been calling on the central and local governments to provide urgent assistance, but no response has been received. The township is experiencing extremely harsh living conditions - with severe food and fuel shortages -  as a result of the ISIL blockade of the township.

In Fallujah, the situation is relatively calm, but some mortar rounds have struck some of the residential districts, injuring at least 7 civilians.

In Garma, there have been some positive military operations accompanied by airstrikes believed to have been launched by coalition aircraft, especially in the area separating the provinces of Anbar and Salahuddin.

The Anbar Council has warned the central government, while setting a 48-hour deadline, that if it does not intervene and arm the security forces and tribal fighters in Anbar, it would call on coalition forces to intervene in the liberation of the Province.

16 October 2014

Groups of ISIL gunmen have launched an 3-front attack on the Baghdadi township. Their bombardment of the town's residential districts has injured a number of civilians, and more than 200 citizens from an eastern district have fled, seeking more secure areas in the town's western sector. But the attack failed following the intervention of the army and its air support that struck at a number of the gunmen's positions. The gunmen then withdrew to their earlier positions around Baghdadi.

Meanwhile, reports coming out of the Anbar Operations Command say that more than 100 U.S. military experts have arrived at the Ayn Al-Asad military base in Baghdadi, to provide advice and lay out plans for facing and fighting the outlaw groups.

In Ramadi, there have been heavy clashes in the city's central and southern districts; some mortar shells have driven residents to flee out of the city.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, 30 km south of Fallujah city, gunmen launched a surprise attack aimed at capturing the town that has been hosting more than 2,000 displaced families. The 4-hour long attack resulted in material losses but there were no casualties.

In Fallujah and Garma, the situation is calm, aside from a few intermittent clashes, especially in the southern and southwestern parts of Garma, along the Anbar border with Salahuddin Province. 

15 October 2014

In Ramadi today, ISIL gunmen launched a broad offensive on a number of central and southern districts in the city. There were also explosions in the vicinity of the Anbar Council seat and the Anbar Police HQ, but we do not yet know the outcome of this action.

The gunmen have also taken over some areas that had been under the control of the security forces as part of their operation aimed at seizing all of Ramadi. The Council has issued an urgent call to the central government and to the army for help.

In Hit and its surroundings, there were clashes in the southwestern sector of the town, especially when the gunmen surrounded wide areas still being controlled by tribal fighters who have also called on the local government to intervene with airstrikes.

In Baghdadi, the situation is critical following the closure of all access to the town by the gunmen; nothing in the way of produce, foodstuffs, or fuel is now reaching the town, whose local municipality has called on the local and central governments, and on humanitarian organizations to open the access routes from Hit and Haditha.

In Fallujah, airstrikes have targeted the city's perimeter; a General Hospital source has announced that 3 residents were killed and 6 wounded.

In Garma and its surroundings between the town and Salahuddin Province are now controlled by security forces.

A statement by the Anbar Council today affirms that equipment, weapons, and munitions - believed to have been imported from outside Iraq - are to be used in reinforcing army and security units, particularly in Ramadi.

14 October 2014

In Hit which was occupied by a large group of ISIL gunmen, and following the fierce clashes yesterday that killed at least 7 residents, the Hit military camp and its large quantities of weaponry and munitions has been completely taken over by the gunmen.

The head of the local municipality in Baghdad announced today that the town is completely surrounded and that the armed groups have cut off all supplies of food and fuel destined to various parts of the township.

In Fallujah, clashes and bombardment of a number of the city's districts have killed 3 civilians and wounded 3 others.

In Garma, there have been intermittent clashes in several areas along the river that separates the town from Salahuddin Province. The area has also been targeted by airstrikes.

In Ramadi, the gunmen who seized control yesterday of the Shurta district have today extended their control over a number of neighboring districts in the western and southern sectors of the city.

The Anbar Council has today renewed its call for the replacement of the Anbar Operations commander Lt.-Gen. Rasheed Flayeh whom the Council is partially blaming for the surprising withdrawals from some areas, thus allowing the gunmen to take them over. However, reports reaching Anbar are indicating that the commander will stay on.

Meanwhile, tomorrow there will be a vote on the appointment of Kadhum Al-Fahdawi as the new Anbar Police commander following the assassination two days ago of the late commander, Gen. Ahmed Al-Dulaimi.