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. 

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.

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.

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. 

21 March 2015

In Garma, the joint Anbar and Baghdad security forces have announced that they have surrounded the town center and are awaiting the order to launch their assault. Meanwhile dozens of families have been evacuating the town, but ISIL gunmen have been preventing some of them from leaving in order to use them as human shields.

Since last night and into noontime today security forces and Iraqi air support backed up by coalition airstrikes have attacked a number of ISIL positions in the northern and northeastern areas of the town, killing a total of at least 33 gunmen. Three would-be suicide bombers were also killed before they could detonate their explosive vests in Saqlawiya.

In Fallujah, clashes have intensified in the Sichir area of northeastern Fallujah; security forces are reporting that at least 7 gunmen have been killed there. The ongoing random exchanges of mortar and rocket fire have killed 3 residents and wounded 9. The city is now fully blockaded and the only access route is the highway leading to Baghdad.

In Ramadi, security forces have turned back an attempted advance by ISIL gunmen in the city's southern sector. The forces have reported that at least 8 gunmen in the fighting. Overnight, coalition warplanes have carried out a number of sorties against the Ta'meem area of western Ramadi.

In Baghdadi, security forces have killed 13 ISIL gunmen in a village on the southwestern outskirts of the town.

04 February 2015

In Garma, the Anbar Operations command reports that coalition warplanes scored direct hits on ISIL gunmen concentrations in the area, killing at least 23 of them. Further coalition strikes in the Saqlawiya area west of Fallujah have also killed 9 ISIL gunmen.

Warplanes have also launched strikes against targets in Akashat on the Iraqi-Syrian border at dawn today. Security sources are reporting that 9 ISIL military commanders were killed in the area.

In Haditha, security forces have been able to secure all four of the town's fronts, especially in the Birwana area in the township's southern sector, where security forces clashed with ISIL gunmen attempting to penetrate into the township from the direction of Ana. An ISIL suicide bomber driving a tractor-trailer from the Ana area toward Haditha, but Iraqi air units struck the target before it could rich a military barracks at the town's southern entrance.

In Ramadi, a statement has confirmed that the Shjariya area northeast of Ramadi is now almost totally under the security forces' control. The disarming and removal of explosives devices planted by ISIL gunmen in the area's residential homes are continuing.

Ramadi has been relatively calm today, including in the southern and southwestern districts. Security forces are still erecting concrete barriers between the areas under their control and those controlled by ISIL.

In Fallujah, the general hospital has reported today that 2 residents have been killed and 6 wounded by the now-daily indiscriminate bombardment exchanges. 

05 July 2014

Beginning in Ramadi, the city is under a total curfew since last night and into today after reports revealing that the armed groups are intending to launch a major operation aimed at seizing all of Ramadi. There has also been a concentrated deployment of security forces and tribal volunteers to protect banks and public venues; bridges have also been closed down and connecting streets within the city have also been blocked off in order to prevent the gunmen from taking over the areas they had not yet been able to seize within the city.

There have also been fierce clashes in the districts along Street 20, in addition to the Al-Jazeera district where the detonation of an explosive device killed 4 security personnel and wounded 7 others. This has led the local government to advise security forces of a possible offensive by the gunmen to take control of the city.

In Fallujah, there have been heavy clashes and shelling in the areas along the main Baghdad - Fallujah highway. The clashes have also spread to Al-Garma. Security forces say the shelling has killed more than 20 gunmen in the southern and southwestern sectors of the city. The Fallujah General Hospital has announced that 3 citizens have been killed and 7 wounded by the ongoing fighting and indiscriminate shelling of a number of the city's districts.

Meanwhile, gunmen have blown up the Al-Saqlawiya Bridge that connects Fallujah with the way to Baghdad through Al-Saqlawiya township.

In Anbar's western regions, groups of gunmen are still controlling Al-Qa'im, Rawa, Ana, and Rutba, as well as some parts adjacent to Haditha where security forces have announced that they have reinforced their positions at the Haditha Dam to face a possible advance by the gunmen.

21 June 2014

In the western Anbar towns that have recently been relatively calm, yesterday a mortar round fell in the vicinity of Col. Majeed Al-Fahdawi, the commander of the Iraqi army's 28th Border Guards Brigade, killing him on the spot and wounding 4 of his entourage. Meanwhile, since last night, army units have withdrawn, enabling the gunmen to seize the border crossing at Al-Qa'im on the Syrian border. On the Syrian side, the Deir el-Zor area of the border is also under the control of ISIL gunmen.
Also yesterday, other border villages along the Iraqi-Syrian border were also seized by the gunmen.
A security source has said that the Al-Qa'im region has been the scene of fierce clashes that have left at least 34 Iraqi army personnel killed, allowing the gunmen to take control of the region.

The western townships of Rawa and Ana are also now controlled by gunmen who, after a few brief clashes forced the withdrawal of the army units toward the souther desert regions. Security sources are reporting that the Jazeera and Badiya Operations Command, at the juncture between Anbar and Nineveh Governorates, is besieged by the gunmen.

In Ana township, one of the calmest in Anbar, everyone was surprised by the withdrawal of army, police, and security units. There were some burglaries, but local tribesmen and civil leaders came out and took over all the government and public offices in the area. The security situation is still confused and citizens are still afraid in the face of the speedy takeover by the gunmen of the previously quiet western regions. Many residents of Al-Qa'im have been making their way to what are perceived as safer areas in Anbar, but they are finding that events on the ground are deteriorating faster than they can move.

In Ramadi, clashes are continuing after gunmen seized the countryside areas that have been calm so far.

In Saqlawiya, 30 km outside Fallujah, intermittent clashes were followed by explosions and aerial bombardment of parts of the township.

In Fallujah today, aerial strikes have targeted various districts, and there have been clashes along the main highway and on into the southern and southwestern sectors of the city. Residents are still on the move, fearing the outcome of the clashes and military operations and the shelling. Five residents, comprising one family - a man, two women and two children -, were killed when their car was hit in an aerial attack.

14 June 2014

In Al-Saqlawiya, a township west of Fallujah, has been since yesterday the scene of an operation that began with the targeting of the township seat building with two car bombs. The five-storey building has also been a stronghold of the security forces; we do not yet know the outcome of the attack or the number of casualties it caused. Meanwhile, the gunmen have seized control of large areas of the township following the withdrawal of some security units. However, security forces are still holding numerous areas around the township and are at this time involved in regaining control of the township, with some sources indicating that a security operation will be launched during the next few hours to re-take Al-Saqlawiya.

In Fallujah, shelling of the city's central and northern districts has been ongoing since last night. A source at the Fallujah General Hospital has announced that 4 residents have been killed and 7 others, including women and children, have been wounded.

The town of Al-Qaim in western Anbar has been relatively calm and is still under the control of security forces supported by local police, tribal elements, and townspeople. Meanwhile, ISIL gunmen have seized the border facility on the Syrian side of the border. On the Iraqi side, and after the withdrawal of government forces, the border area is under the control of tribal forces cooperating with the local police. However, the border is more than 600 km long and there are numerous groups of gunmen moving back and forth across the border.

In Al-Garma, fierce intermittent clashes have been underway, and shelling has struck government buildings and some residential homes. We do not yet have any casualty figures from the town.

In Ramadi, although the city is relatively calm, security sources are saying that military operations are underway in the city's southern sector and that they would shortly secure the area. In spite of the optimistic tone of the security reports, large numbers of residents are still moving out of Fallujah, Al-Saqlawiya, and the southern and southwestern districts of Ramadi; they are mostly heading for Hit which has so far taken in more than 70,000 displaced people, a number equal to the town's population, exacerbating the difficulties faced by this township.

Events in Mosul and the neighboring Salahuddin governorate have had their effect on Anbar. The reported capture by the gunmen of the Baiji oil refinery has resulted in huge shortages in petroleum products, in addition to huge rises in the prices of foodstuffs and vegetables. 

31 May 2014

The Anbar crisis is today entering its sixth month.

Yesterday, suicide bombers detonated their vests at the Al-Bu'abaid police command HQ on Al-Khalidiya Island; gunmen were attempting to seize the post amid the eruption of heavy clashes resulting in the capture and arrest of 4 of the attacking gunmen, while 2 others were killed. The army sent in reinforcements to the area.

Fierce clashes also erupted in Al-Kubaisa, a township southwest of Hit in western Anbar, when gunmen launched an attack aimed at capturing the town. The local police, supported by army personnel, responded quickly; the gunmen then withdrew to an unknown destination after a gunfight that lasted about 30 minutes.

In Fallujah, local police supported by tribal forces and army units tried to enter Al-Saqlawiya, southwest of the city, where they clashed with groups of gunmen; the security forces are affirming that they are now in control of the area.

In Fallujah itself, the Al-Maftoul crossing - the only access point into or out of the city - was closed today. Meanwhile, indiscriminate shelling continued through last night and into noontime today. At least 3 persons were killed and 7 were wounded by the shelling. Local and international relief organizations are providing aid while trying to evacuate the remaining civilians from the city, in response to reports of an imminent military thrust into the city within the next few days.

The Anbar Governorate Council has stressed that there will not be an assault on Fallujah, and arrangements are still being made for convening the conference on the Anbar situation in Baghdad.