20 February 2015

Military operations are continuing in Baghdadi township: security forces have reported that a broad security operation was launched in the early hours of this morning in the western and southern sectors of the town. More than 5,000 security fighters with Iraqi and coalition air support are involved. The forces have taken control of some of the town's principal government buildings, but some ISIL gunmen are still in position on the roofs of the taller buildings.

Anbar Operations sources are reporting that coalition warplanes carried out attacks that have killed at least 45 gunmen along the town's southern perimeter and in the areas between Baghdadi and Haditha.

Meanwhile, 3 children have died after drinking sulfur-tainted water drawn from wells in the residential complex in Baghdadi. 4 residents have also died because of the medicinal shortages in the complex. 30 tons of food supplies are reported to have reached Baghdadi via the Ayn al-Asad military base, dispatched by the central government. A major evacuation is reported underway from Baghdadi, either aboard Iraqi aircraft or on foot, to Hit and Haditha Townships., and also by air to Baghdad. Yesterday and today about 1,000 families have been involved in this migration.

In Ramadi, Col. Hameed al-Shandoog, a local Anbar police officer, reported that ISIL has launched a broad operation against the government complex in central Ramadi, advancing from the city's southern sector. The attack was thwarted by the combined efforts of the security forces, Iraqi air support, and coalition airstrikes. 19 gunmen have been killed at the scene. In Shjariya in northeastern Ramadi, security operations are continuing amid fierce clashes erupted today when ISIL gunmen attempted to move back into the area but were met with fierce resistance by security forces deployed there.

In Fallujah, the general hospital has announced today that 2 residents have been killed and 3 wounded by the random exchanges of mortar fire.

In Garma, clashes are again underway in the township's industrial zone, with coalition warplanes carrying out a number of raids on ISIL positions and facilities, and at least 33 of the gunmen were killed.