26 July 2015

Antiterrorism units, Rapid Deployment forces, supported by People's Mobilization forces, and tribal volunteers have taken control of Anbar University in southwestern Ramadi. Security forces  advanced on the campus from four fronts, taking up positions within the campus buildings, while fighting is continuing around the campus perimeter. Security forces are reporting that they have taken control of most of the university's buildings; they have also discovered a mass grave and a number of tunnels connecting the campus with the southern and southwestern sectors of Ramadi. Forces are now advancing into the Ta'meem district, and have taken control of the areas adjacent to Ramadi's eastern sector and on to the areas across the Euphrates from Ramadi City. Also today, Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have targeted numerous positions in and around Ramadi. At least 26 ISIL gunmen have been reported killed by the strikes.

In Fallujah, security forces are still fully surrounding the city. At least 17 ISIL gunmen were killed in clashes on Fallujah's eastern front as they attempted to attack a military barracks near the Fallujah-Baghdad Highway. Iraqi and Coalition aircraft have attacked and destroyed 3 vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition and making their way toward the city's northern and northeastern sectors. Security forces are also combing all of the terrain around the city's perimeter. Meanwhile, the gunmen are still preventing families from leaving the city and have been whipping those who try to circumvent their positions within 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.

15 July 2015

Military operations are underway in various parts of the province for the third straight day within the overall major campaign to liberate all of Anbar by expelling all the ISIL gunmen from the province.

In Fallujah, security forces are blockading the city on six fronts. During the night, the security forces took control of the main highway to Baghdad. Meanwhile, there have not been any direct confrontations between the forces and the ISIL gunmen within the city, as Iraqi air strikes have been targeting ISIL positions and concentrations. 23 gunmen have been confirmed killed in various parts of the city. Security forces have also opened a number of routes that are allowing Fallujah residents to leave the city after having been prevented from doing so by the gunmen.

In Ramadi, security forces have succeeded overnight in advancing deeper into the city from a number of directions while liberating the outlying areas.

The successes achieved have been somewhat surprising, as the areas the security forces are now liberating had been firmly under ISIL control for a long time.

09 June 2015

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, 3 ISIL gunmen wearing military uniforms and explosive vests infiltrated the township’s Local Council after killing 3 security guards manning the entrance; the infiltrators clashed with security personnel inside the building in which the gunmen were killed, but not before one of them blew himself up, causing material damage near the office of the Council Leader, Sheikh Faisal Al- Issawi. A curfew was declared, but the town’s residential districts came under mortar fire. Clashes also took place in the town’s southwestern sector, while Iraqi gun ships struck targets along the town’s perimeter, blowing up a number of explosives-filled vehicles in the area.

Meanwhile in Ramadi, military operations continued in areas around the city, while security forces are still preparing their ground assault against ISIL; Iraqi and Coalition warplanes have struck some ISIL positions and gunmen concentrations in eastern Husayba, Juwayba, Bu-Farraj, and Bu-Ghanim area across the river. Air strikes and minor clashes have continued in Ramadi’s outlying areas.

In Hit, Iraqi and Coalition warplanes have carried out heavy strikes against the town’s industrial and suburban districts. Casualty figures have not yet been announced, but intelligence reports indicate that ISIL gunmen are gathering to launch an attack along a west-to-east route toward Ramadi.

In Fallujah, a hospital source has reported that 2 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

Clashes have resumed in Garma township in the areas separating it from Abu-Ghraib township west of the capital, Baghdad.

25 May 2015

Since the early hours of this morning, Iraqi Army forces supported by Iraqi gun ships, the People’s Mobilization, and tribal fighters are engaged in a broad military operation in Ramadi’s eastern areas, particularly the areas adjacent to Khalidiya and eastern Husayba; these areas have now been secured, while at least 12 ISIL gunmen were killed.

Meanwhile, Iraqi gun ships have bombarded a number of buildings being used by ISIL snipers.

Also today, large numbers of the People’s Mobilization have arrived to bring their total so far to more than 7,000 fighters.

There are also reports that the security forces are preparing for a major military operation to liberate Ramadi in the next few days.

Also this morning, Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes launched a number of strikes against a number of areas in Ramadi: in the Bu-Farraj, Al-Andalus, and the industrial districts, in addition to targets in central Ramadi. Three members of the ISIL leadership have been reported killed in the eastern Bu-Farraj area.

In Haditha, ISIL launched an early morning attack, but security forces and Iraqi gun ships repelled the attack, killing at least 35 ISIL gunmen.

In Baghdadi, the security situation is in turmoil as a result of repeated attacks by the gunmen on the residential complex in central Baghdadi, where fighting is still underway.

In Fallujah, hospital sources have reported that 7 residents were killed and 5 were wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

The humanitarian situation of the migrants remains unchanged, with thousands of families still stranded near the Bzaybiz Bridge; they have not yet been able to cross into Baghdad.

19 May 2015

Military operations are still underway in the eastern areas of Ramadi, where ISIL have taken over the Juwayba and wide areas of eastern Husayba and fierce fighting is still underway there.

Security forces have repelled three ISIL attacks on eastern Husayba in Khalidiya township. All security forces in the area have been ordered to gather within 24 hours in the areas that are being targeted by the gunmen to prevent them from taking control of the vast area between Habbaniya and Amiriyat al-Fallujah.

Security forces today also repelled a strong attack on the southern areas of Khalidiya. Meanwhile Iraqi and coalition planes carried out a number of sorties against target areas in eastern Anbar.

Air strikes have also been launched against a number of Ramadi areas; coalition warplanes have launched 19 air strikes on ISIL positions, reportedly killing dozens of the gunmen.

Amiriyat al-Fallujah was heavily bombarded overnight with ISIL targeting most of the town’s residential districts killing one resident and wounding 6.

In Fallujah, fighting has continued in the city’s southern industrial area. Nine residents were killed and 23 were wounded by the random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

There are still more than 12,000 people being held up at the Bzaybiz access route where the actual crossing point toward Baghdad is now closed. Some basic relief aid has reached the massed migrants at the crossing who are without any kind of shelter and are in urgent need of food supplies.

14 May 2015

Beginning at 2:00 am last night, security forces, Iraqi air support, and coalition warplanes have carried out a major military operation to liberate Baghdadi. The security forces advanced into the eastern areas of the township and are now on the outskirts of the town of al-Dulab in easternmost Baghdadi.

Meanwhile ISIL gunmen used 6 booby-trapped vehicles in their assault on the western areas of the town where they achieved some advances and forced some army units to withdraw, but fierce clashes have prevented the ISIL gunmen from taking control of the areas. Fierce fighting is still underway. Anbar Operations is reporting that the security forces are holding their ground in the riverside areas west of Baghdadi.

Security forces have also repelled an ISIL attack in the industrial zone in southern Fallujah where they killed 5 of the gunmen yesterday and 8 others this morning. Seven security personnel were also killed and 14 were wounded.

Numerous mortar rounds have struck the northern and eastern residential districts in Fallujah, killing at least 12 residents and wounding at least 13.

In Garma, security forces have turned back a surprise ISIL attack in the Subayhat area of eastern Garma. Fierce clashes are continuing in the areas along the Euphrates and the highway leading to Baghdad.

13 May 2015

In Garma today, ISIL gunmen launched a fierce attack on the industrial zone between Garma township and Fallujah. The attack came from 3 fronts against security forces’ positions. Security forces are still engaged in repelling the attacks.

Meanwhile numerous mortar rounds have struck within Fallujah City; initial casualty estimates are reporting that 7 residents have been killed and 13 have been wounded by the random bombardment exchanges.

In Ramadi, security forces have today killed 9 ISIL snipers in the Sharika district in central Ramadi. Two security personnel were killed and 6 were wounded in today’s fierce clashes, but security forces have established control over the district.

Security forces supported by Iraqi gun ships and Iraqi Army artillery have targeted ISIL positions in the areas between Garma/Fallujah and the capital, Baghdad.

Numerous mortar rounds have been fired by ISIL gunmen at the Habbaniya area east of Ramadi. One child was killed and 5 other children were wounded by the bombardment.

23 April 2015

Security forces in Ramadi have announced that they have now taken control of two districts in central Ramadi after having killed at least 17 ISIL gunmen and having disarmed a large number of explosive devices and booby-traps.

Security forces have also stopped a heavy attack against the government complex in Ramadi’s city center, and killing at least 12 ISIL gunmen.

Security forces have also penetrated into the residential districts in western Ramadi and established their control over them.

Meanwhile fierce clashes are underway in the Sufiya area and Street 40 in northeastern Ramadi; security forces are still advancing into the areas.

Troop reinforcements have also arrived from Baghdad and some of the neighboring provinces and are now being deployed in central Ramadi; there are reports that a major battle for the liberation of Anbar is imminent.

Iraqi air support ans coalition warplanes have carried out a number of sorties against targets in Ramadi’s northeastern sector.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has reported that 8 residents have been killed, including 2 women and a child, and at least 14 have been wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Garma, fierce clashes have been raging since the early hours of this morning aimed at establishing control over the town center, following the security forces’ success in capturing and holding the town’s perimeter and its outlying areas.

On the humanitarian front, Haditha is still suffering because no relief aid has been reaching the township, but earlier reports indicate that large quantities of foodstuffs are being readied in Baghdadi’s Ayn al-Asad military base, to be dispatched to Haditha. 

19 April 2015

A three-front military operation has been launched in the Sufiya area following the deployment of forces from the ‘Golden’ Division, Rapid Deployment units, and Anti-terrorism units around the town’s perimeter. Reports from Anbar Operations and Anbar Police indicate that these forces have successfully taken control of 50% of the Sufiya areas and Street 100 that runs along the northern sector of Ramadi where security forces have taken control of the city center areas.

Since the early hours of this morning the government complex in the city center has been under attack from the southern sector by ISIL gunmen, but security forces with Iraqi air support have successfully repelled the attack, killing dozens of the attacking gunmen.

Military operations are still underway in the Bu-Farraj area where security forces have secured 60% of the area. Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes have also carried out sorties on targets in Bu-Farraj and its surrounding areas.

Major military reinforcements have arrived today in Ramadi, including equipment, vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.

In Baghdadi, military operations are continuing following the ISIL gunmen’s success in penetrating into the town. Security forces are still repelling the gunmen’s attacks. Iraqi air support and coalition warplanes have also attacked positions in the town’s eastern areas.

Thousands of families are still migrating across the Bzaybiz footbridge into the capital, Baghdad.

Amiriyat al-Fallujah is still experiencing severe humanitarian hardship because incoming aid is so insufficient, according to migrants who have fled the eastern and northeastern sectors of Ramadi.

15 April 2015

ISIL gunmen have launched a major assault on the areas to the northeast of Ramadi and taken control of a number of towns and villages in the area. At least 13 security forces personnel were killed during the attack following the withdrawal of army units and the people’s militias. Meanwhile heavy fighting is continuing by the local tribal fighters and police forces. Thousands of families have been evacuating Ramadi’s central districts, making their way to Habbaniya and to Baghdad. Meanwhile military equipment and four army regiments have reached Ramadi to take part in stopping the ISIL advances into the city. There are unconfirmed reports that ISIL has executed a number of local residents, particularly in the Bu-Ghanim area where local fighters had put up stiff resistance.

Clashes accompanied by coalition air strikes and Iraqi air support have enabled security forces to move into the city’s southern sector. Reports indicate that the gunmen are in control of the southern Bu-Ghanim area that has seen many families abandoning their homes.

07 April 2015

In Ramadi, a curfew has been imposed on the whole city as from 12:00 noon today. This was prompted, according to Anbar Operations sources, by reports that ISIL is planning an attack on the city’s central and northeastern districts using car-bombs. Another reason for the curfew has been the launch of a military operation in northeastern Ramadi’s Shjariya town. Security forces have encircled the town and have launched a three-pronged attack, from the north, the east, and the south against the town where major reinforcements have been deployed. Anbar Operations sources are reporting a mass withdrawal of the ISIL gunmen from Shjariya, toward the opposite banks of the Euphrates. Six booby-trapped homes have been cleared in the town, and roadside explosives along the roads into the town have also been cleared.

A Fast Response Force officer has announced that the security forces have advanced and liberated a number of areas in southern Ramadi’s Hawz district, killing a number of gunmen. Meanwhile two security regiments have arrived from Baghdad: one has been deployed in westernmost Ramadi, and the second in the city’s northern sector. These reinforcements and the arrival of large quantities of supplies and equipment are expected to bolster the major operation that will deal with most of Anbar Province.

Clashes are continuing in the easternmost sector of Ramadi in the areas between the city and the ‘Japanese’ Bridge and on toward Garma whose center is still surrounded by security forces.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has announced that 2 residents have been killed and 7 wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen still holding the city.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, the curfew has been lifted today and the situation is ‘normal’ and there has not been any incoming mortar fire.

30 March 2015

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has reported that at least 11 residents have been killed and at least 30 wounded, most of whom were women and children. The incoming bombardment struck residential districts in the city’s central, northern, and northwestern sectors. Dozens of families have been abandoning the city and making their way to the capital, Baghdad, and to other regions of the Province.

In Garma, clashes have resumed as the ISIL gunmen were thwarted by security forces in an attempted attack in the southwestern sector of the township.

Northeast of Ramadi, on the other side of the Euphrates, security forces are still mostly controlling the area with intermittent clashes with the gunmen.

In Ramadi, security forces have blown up a booby-trapped vehicle before it could be driven to the army barracks in the city’s southern Hawz district. This was followed by clashes with the gunmen in a number of the southern sector’s districts. Iraqi air support has also carried out strikes in the southwestern sector where it is reported that at least 11 ISIL gunmen were killed this morning.

Elsewhere in Anbar, the situation is relatively calm with the exception of clashes in the southwestern sector of Baghdadi. Meanwhile, food and medical supplies have reached the township.

23 March 2015

In Garma, security forces today killed at least 13 ISIL gunmen in fierce clashes in the eastern and northeastern parts of the town. The forces strengthened their hold on all the roads and accesses in the town and that effort is continuing, in preparation for the imminent assault on the town. Anbar and Baghdad Operations have pointed out that there are still civilian families in the town and hindering the assault on the town. They have been called on residents to leave before the expected troop advance. The southwestern sector of the town has also been secured. The areas between Garma and the outskirts of Baghdad have also been secured.

Meanwhile, the Anbar Operations Commander, Gen. Qassem al Mihimdi, announced that seccurity forces have today launched two operations; one has been in the areas between Ramadi and Fallujah; the second has been in the areas northeast of Ramadi, along the opposite banks of the Euphrates. Iraqi air support in the area has also killed at least 19 gunmen.

In Ramadi, there have been two ISIL attacks today: the first aimed at taking the Antiterrorist Forces HQ in westernmost Ramadi, but the attack was turned back and a number of booby-trapped vehicles have been destroyed. The second attack came in the southwestern Hawz district, but this was also repelled by security forces and a number of gunmen were killed.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has announced that 2 residents have been killed and 5 wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges that have struck several of the city's residential districts.

In Baghdadi, the situation is practically normal and relief aid has been reaching the township, as well as the Haditha area. Meanwhile, gunmen are still occupying areas across the Euphrates from Baghdadi, and are randomly targeting the residential areas with mortar fire.

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.

12 March 2015

Military operations are continuing in Ramadi following the four-pronged attack by ISIL yesterday on numerous districts, both within the city and on its outlying areas. Security forces have today killed at least 7 suicide bombers driving booby-trapped vehicles, as they tried to assault the 1st Division's 2nd Regiment near the 'Japanese Bridge' in eastern Ramadi. The suicide bombers and their vehicles were blown up and there were no army casualties, according to an Anbar Operations source. There have also been fierce clashes in the city's southwestern and southern sectors. Similar clashes have also been raging in the city's western sector. Many of the districts came under mortar fire that caused some injuries and major material damage to buildings and residences in the areas. Security forces have increased their presence in the city's central districts and a partial curfew has been imposed on the areas around the government complex. Low-flying aircrafts have been flying over the areas that ISIL gunmen tried to overrun yesterday.

In Garma, security forces have today reached the town's center while broad areas in the eastern part of the township that border the outlying areas of the capital, Baghdad, have been liberated.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has announced that 4 residents have been killed and 11 wounded by the clashes and the ongoing random bombardment between security forces on the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. A mass migration is underway from the city following reports that a military operation into the city is imminent. The gunmen, however are preventing the families from leaving, but some of them have been able to find a way out.

In Baghdadi, some families have been returning to their homes, especially in the town's southwestern districts that are now controlled by security forces.

Military forces are massing around Hit township, the strategic link between eastern and western Anbar. Iraqi and coalition airstrikes have also been targeting ISIL positions in southwestern Hit township. It is believed that the area holds a number of ISIL command posts and bomb-making and vehicle booby-trapping workshops No reports have yet emerged regarding ISIL casualties in these operations. Here also, a migration is underway, with numerous families heading for the capital or toward Anbar's western regions, in advance of a reported imminent military operation in the area.

11 March 2015

In Ramadi, the Deputy Anbar Council leader, Faleh al-Issawi, has announced that the city has come under the fiercest ISIL attack for over a year. At least 17 suicide bombers in 7 booby-trapped vehicles attacked from the north and from the west. Two of the vehicles were blown up on one of Ramadi's main bridges, killing 3 security personnel and wounding 7. Two other vehicles were blown up at a military barracks, and two more vehicles were detonated on Street 20 in the city's southern sector. The seventh was detonated on the fringe of the southern sector. Meanwhile, military operations are continuing in the city and an open-ended  curfew has been imposed following reports that ISIL is preparing for a second attack.

The Ramadi general hospital has reported that 3 military personnel and 2 civilians have been killed and 34 others, mainly civilians, have been wounded. In addition to the booby-trapped vehicles ISIL launched at least 100 rockets at various targets in the city's southern sector.

The Anbar Council convened an emergency session with security commanders aimed at re-deploying security forces from the city's outlying areas into the center. Meanwhile, Iraqi and coalition airstrikes have targeted a number of the gunmen's positions in the city.

In Hit, hundreds of families have been abandoning their homes in the township, heading toward the capital, Baghdad, and to the province's western regions. ISIL, however, have prevented some of these families from leaving, intending to use them as human shields. They are also forbidding them from closing their homes.

In northeastern Ramadi, security forces identified 2 booby-trapped vehicles in Hamidhiya and Khalidiya. The vehicles were then detonated remotely.

In Garma, security forces were able today to enter the town center following fierce clashes that killed at least 35 gunmen, according to an Anbar Operations source. Mopping-up operations are continuing there.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has announced that 6 residents were killed and 3 wounded by the ever-continuing random bombardment exchanges.

10 March 2015

In Garma, the Anbar Council has announced that the five consecutive days of military operations are coming to an end, with security forces supported by tribal fighters having taken control of most of the township. The fighting has killed more than 300 ISIL gunmen in the town and its surrounding areas. More than 50 booby-trapped houses have been blown up and more than 100 explosive devices have been disarmed and removed. Council sources are reporting that large numbers of the gunmen have fled into the western desert areas and to the ISIL-controlled areas in Fallujah. Garma families are still moving out of the town, as are some families from Fallujah, heading toward Anbar's western regions and toward the capital, Baghdad.

In Ramadi, Special Police forces have taken control of parts of the city's southern sector that had been held by the gunmen. Eleven gunmen were killed in the fighting. Seven tunnels leading from the sector toward the government complex in the city center have been blown up today.

In Baghdadi, Anbar Operations have announced that joint police, army, and tribal forces have been combing the opposite banks of the Euphrates where they have discovered and cleared explosive devices and 3 booby-trapped vehicles left behind by ISIL gunmen. Iraqi and coalition airstrikes in the areas between Baghdadi and Haditha have further secured the roads and highways in the area.

In Fallujah, a general hospital source has reported that 2 residents were killed and 7 wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city's perimeter and ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In the besieged Kubaysa area of Hit township, residents have been migrating toward Hit town and onward toward Ramadi.

09 March 2015

In Garma, military operations are continuing since dawn this morning. Anbar Operations sources are reporting that their forces have been able to take control of the eastern part of the town and its industrial zone. Military reinforcements are also making their way toward the town's center. Iraqi and coalition airstrikes have targeted the northern and northeastern sectors, with reports coming in of at least 250 ISIL gunmen being killed during this recent campaign. Explosives and mines are currently being disarmed and cleared. There are also reports that numerous gunmen have been fleeing into the desert areas separating the town from Fallujah, an area that is reported to be the next target of the military operations. Anbar Operations are reporting thst hundreds of families have been evacuating Garma and parts of Fallujah following the reports of a possible widening of the operations to include Fallujah. The families are making their way to Amiriyat al-Fallujah and toward the areas leading to the capital, Baghdad.

In Fallujah, a medical source has reported that 3 residents have been killed and 9 wounded in new clashes and the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

In Ramadi, clashes resumed at dawn today in the city's southern sector, while security forces have blown up a number of tunnels that ISIL gunmen had intended to use to advance to the government complex in the city center.

In Baghdadi, security sources are reporting that the town is relatively calm today following the success of those forces in taking control of 90% of the town. There are still pockets of gunmen in the outlying areas of the township, targeting the town center with mortar and rocket fire.

Meanwhile, food aid and fuel supplies have arrived in Haditha township.