08 December 2014

The most significant escalation today has been the major attack by ISIL gunmen against the government complex in Ramadi. Security forces, however, absorbed the attack which was launched at 7:00 this morning. By the time the clashes abated this afternoon, security forces had killed at least 22 of the gunmen, while Iraqi air support also struck positions occupied by ISIL forces.

ISIL gunmen have also launched a violent assault on the Hawz district of southwestern Ramadi. The clashes have been going on for more than five hours, with conflicting reports emerging about the actual situation there.

In Fallujah today, a preliminary casualty report indicates that 4 residents have been killed and 11 have been wounded by the ongoing clashes and mortar shells that have struck a number of the city's central and northern districts.

In Hit, security forces are still in control of the town's perimeter, while 14,000 volunteers are being trained at Ayn Al-Asad camp, where U.S. advisers are also present, according to Anbar Council sources.

Activity is increasing in Anbar, aimed at seeking a replacement for the Anbar Governor, Ahmed Al-Dulaimi, who was wounded last month while touring Birwana, near Haditha, and who is still undergoing treatment at a hospital in Amman, Jordan. The selection of a new governor is being thwarted by differences between the various political factions in the Province.

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.

12 October 2014

The Anbar Police commander, Gen. Ahmed Al-Dulaimi, was killed today as his motorcade was on its way to the Abu Risha area northeast of Ramadi. A roadside explosive device was detonated as his vehicle was passing by. He was rushed to the hospital where he passed away. Also killed in the explosion was one of his bodyguards and his private photographer. Brigadier-General Sabah Mohammed has been provisionally appointed in his place, pending the appointment of a new commander by the Interior Ministry.

Following the assassination, a broad security operation was launched in the area.

Also in Ramadi today, mortar fire from unknown sources has struck several districts in the city, causing a number of civilian casualties. Gunmen have also been on the move in the western and southern districts of the city; they have seized control of large areas of those districts.

In Hit township, following yesterday's fierce clashes and coalition air strikes. The clashes and mortar attacks have killed 4 residents and wounded 11 in a number of the town's districts.

In Garma, security forces have taken control of areas northeast of Fallujah toward Garma.

Within Fallujah, the situation is relatively calm.

The Anbar Council announced today that it has received approval for the formation of a tribal fighters' National Guard to take on the armed groups. The Deputy Council Leader, Faleh Al-Issawi, has also stated that the entire Anbar Province will fall within 15 days unless the central government takes action by providing weapons and munitions to the security forces there. He added that unless this happens "the consequences for Anbar will be catastrophic."

17 August 2014

Q:  What are the latest security developments in Anbar?

A:  The operation by security and supporting tribal forces is continuing for the fourth day in areas of Ramadi Island; the areas now have been completely liberated, following the incursion of those forces into the areas where they killed at least 34 of the gunmen and burned their vehicles.

In Fallujah, 6 residents were killed and 11 were wounded by the shelling/bombardment of a number of the city's residential districts.

In Al-Garma, 2 residents were killed and 7 were wounded by the shelling of specific targets including some government centers within the town.

In Haditha, fierce battles erupted when gunmen attempted to assault the town but were driven back by security and tribal forces.

Q:  Media reports indicate that there is some sort of tribal coalition against ISIL, and that there is a view to cooperate with the central government and the armed forces to jointly attack against the gunmen. What do you know about this?

A:  Reports indicate that a meeting was held yesterday, attended by 23 tribal sheikhs representing most of the tribes in the province; they met with the Anbar Police commander, Gen. Ahmed Al-Dulaimi, where they agreed on a document calling for security cooperation and support exclusively with the police forces. They agreed to unite in fighting the armed groups exclusively in support of the local police, stipulating that the tribal forces would withdraw their support if the army becomes involved in the fight against the armed groups.