05 April 2015

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

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

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

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

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

04 April 2015

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

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

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

 

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

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

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.

20 August 2014

In Rawa, in the town's Stadium district, an administrative position held by gunmen who have been controlling the town was hit by army shelling. Two women were wounded nearby that location.

In Ramadi, the local police command supported by 'Awakenings' forces have announced that they have seized control of areas lying between Ramadi and Hit.

A military parade has been held in the districts that had been controlled by the gunmen in the city's southern sector.

In Fallujah, 7 residents were killed and at least 13 wounded by the bombardment of numerous central residential districts.

In Al-Garma, 3 residents were killed and 5 were wounded in the targeting of a home within the town.

In Salahuddin province, army forces attempted today to assault Tikrit from three fronts: from the west, north, and east of the city, but informed security sources have said that their forces were unable to take the city in the face of fierce resistance by the armed groups. Many access points had been booby-trapped, and there were many sniper positions that took their toll of the security forces. An airborne attack by paratroopers into the city allowed the forces to take some positions within Tikrit. A security source has reported big explosions in a number of the city's districts; these were explosive charges that were detonated when security forces approached their locations. No casualty figures are available yet.

Eyewitnesses are reporting that hundreds of families have been fleeing the city's residential districts. The precarious security situation has been preventing essential supplies from reaching them.

In Samarra, a new provincial governor has been elected for Salahuddin to replace the Parliament member Ahmed Al-Jubouri who ha submitted his resignation to the Parliament; he is Dr. Ra'ed Al-Jubouri, the former Health Director-General in Samarra.

29 June 2014

The gunmen have taken control of large areas of western Anbar, but they have now stopped outside Haditha. Some tribal sources are saying that there are negotiations underway as there does not appear to be a military solution to that standoff. They are apparently trying to buy time so that the seizure can be achieved without a fight.
They have also not taken control of Hit or of Al-Baghdadi, home to the big Ayn Al-Asad Base which is still in the hands of security forces.

There are conflicting reports about who controls the Iraq side of Trebil border crossing between Iraq and Jordan. But both the local and central governments are stating that the border crossings, such as Al-Waleed, are still secure. The Trade Ministry has confirmed that 300 trucks have safely made the journey from the Jordanian border to Baghdad.

Security sources are reaffirming that Tikrit and other Salahuddin areas will be secured within 72 hours. The main effect in Anbar is related to the humanitarian situation. Many Anbaris had fled to Salahuddin and after the events there they have been making their way back, so it is the humanitarian aspect that they care about.

11 June 2014

Starting with Tikrit, the provincial capital of Salahuddin Governorate, ISIL gunmen have entered the city today and taken full control. The initial penetration came from the city's eastern side from which they spread out and took control of the entire city. As we speak, the gunmen have seized the holding jail in the city and have released all the prisoners being held there.

Meanwhile in Ramadi and Fallujah, Ramadi's residential districts are relatively calm but there have been some intermittent clashes in the city's southern sector after the gunmen were able to regain control of several districts there. Elsewhere, some residents have been returning to their relatively calm districts. A similar calm has also settled over the city's northern districts.

In Fallujah, a medical source has announced that 4 residents have been killed and 6 others wounded as a result of the resumption of shelling since last night, through noontime today. More mass migrations are underway in Fallujah as a result of the continuing military operations in the city.

In Al-Garma, northeast of Fallujah, has been under heavy shelling since last night and through noontime today.

In Hit township, a curfew has been in effect since last night after reports indicated that the gunmen are planning to seize control of the township, as has taken place in Nineveh and Salahuddin Governorates. However, security forces have announced today that they have thwarted that attempt on Hit.

In Anbar's western regions along the boundary with Salahuddin, stringent security measures are being adopted in order to foil any attempt at repeating what took place in Ramadi and Fallujah which fell to the gunmen.

With regard to the conference that is to be held on June 20th, a preparatory committee has been formed by the Anbar local government, and invitations have been issued to a large number of religious and tribal figures to attend the conference in Baghdad.

Another conference will take place in the middle of next week, and is described as being in preparation for the Baghdad conference and will be held in Ramadi. The aim is to agree on the issues that will be presented to the central government.

The armed groups now appear to be preparing to expand their operations after seizing Tikrit in order to take control of broader regions that are still being held by security forces, but official sources are all confirming that Tikrit is now totally under the control of the gunmen, and that all military, security, and police forces have withdrawn, leaving behind their weapons and equipment. These have been taken over by the gunmen who have also burned down many of the police stations and security vehicles in the area they now control.