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.

27 June 2015

In Ramadi, security forces are still consolidating their stranglehold on the city's perimeter. Sources are reporting that military supplies and equipment have arrived today, and that more than 1,000 People's Mobilization fighters from Ramadi itself are to be deployed in support of the security forces. There were some clashes on the eastern ans northeastern outskirts of the city.

Iraqi and Coalition aircraft have carried out a number of sorties against several positions within the city,and an Anbar Operations source has confirmed that at least 12 ISIL gunmen were killed in northeastern Ramadi.

In Fallujah today, the ongoing indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city's perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city have, as per a General Hospital source, killed 8 residents, including 3 children and a woman, and wounded 9 others, in the northern and central residential districts of Fallujah.

In Garma, security forces have now penetrated 3 km. deep into the town and established control over the southern industrial sector and the areas between Garma and the Salahuddin Province boundary. Iraqi and Coalition air strikes are reported to have killed at least 4 ISIL gunmen and destroyed 4 of their vehicles that were about to be booby-trapped.

The humanitarian situation remains unchanged in various parts of Ramadi and Khalidiya, as well as the Amiriyat al-Fallujah, the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing, and the tourist village at Habbaniya. All the families at all these encampments are struggling with the summer heat, the lack of electricity, and severe shortages of food supplies.

22 June 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces are still tightening their grip around the city’s perimeter, while some partial military operations are continuing in the areas northeast of the city – from Eastern Husayba and on to Juwayba and the areas across and along the Euphrates River. Security forces have also advanced to within 2 km from the ISIL front lines within the perimeter. Security forces have also carried out a partial operation in the city’s southwestern quadrant where they were able to liberate a number of Ramadi residents who had been under ISIL control. Meanwhile, Iraqi gun ships and coalition warplanes have today struck a number of positions in various parts of the city, including the Hawz, Andalus, Bu-Farraj, and Bu-Ghanim areas. At least 9 ISIL gunmen, including one of their field commanders, were killed in the southern Andalus district.

In Fallujah, the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges are continuing between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city; 9 residents, including 3 women and 2 children were killed today and at least 24 were wounded in a number of the city’s residential districts by the exchanges.

Food and relief supplies are practically non-existent for the families stranded at the Bzaybiz Bridge crossing, and within the Amiriyat al-Fallujah, and Khalidiya refugee camps.

13 June 2015

Since 04:00 this morning, ISIL gunmen have attacked the southwestern residential compound of Baghdadi. They reached the outer walls of the compound where a number of gunmen detonated the suicide vests they were wearing. But while the attackers were infiltrating into the compound, security forces supported by tribal fighters within the compound succeeded in turning back the attackers, as Iraqi gun ships targeted number of vehicles used in the attack. At least 21 of the gunmen were killed, according to a statement by the 7^th Division Commander at the Ayn al-Asad military base.

An Anbar Council source announced today the arrival of 80 U.S. military advisers at the Habbaniya Base; they are the first group of advisers who will be training the Iraqi security forces, particularly the Anbar volunteers of the People’s Mobilization fighters.

4 ISIL gunmen were killed in clashes in the eastern outskirts of Ramadi, between Al-Khalidiya to the east and Ramadi City. Military operations are continuing in eastern Ramadi. Iraqi air support has struck a number of sites in the various areas along the city’s perimeter.

Military operations are continuing in the assault on Garma Township, with security forces now in control of the southwestern sector of the township; fierce fighting is also continuing within the town, aand in the districts around its center.

In Fallujah, 4 residents are reported to have been killed and 9 wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been controlling the city for more than one year.

The humanitarian situation of the migrants sheltering in Amiriyat al-Fallujah and at the Bzaybiz Bridge remains unchanged, with many families sheltering in camps and in unfinished buildings, and still dealing with the severe food shortages and the lack of relief aid. They are calling for government action to provide them with the wherewithal to survive the approaching month of Ramadan.

24 May 2015

In Baghdadi, a fierce ISIL attack targeted the local government complex in the western sector of the town; the attack consisted of 3 suicide bombers who infiltrated from the eastern side of the complex; two explosives-rigged vehicles were blown up before they reached a military barracks on the edge of the complex. Iraqi gun ships also carried out a number of sorties against ISIL positions and concentrations.

Also today, a number of families fled their homes and headed toward the Ayn al-Asad military base. About 5 km from the base, a large explosives-laden truck was detonated at a military barracks, killing a number of security personnel and tribal fighters. The fighting in and around Baghdadi that erupted around dawn today has become less intense during the day and is now limited to a number of smaller clashes.

Security forces have advanced into the areas east of Ramadi; Khalidiya and eastern Husayba have now been secured. A small number of families have today been returning to their homes in these liberated areas.

In Fallujah, 3 residents have been reported killed and 7 wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between the security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city. Meanwhile the southwestern outskirts of the city are relatively calm.

In Garma, military operations are continuing unabated.

On the humanitarian front, the plight of the migrants massed at the Bzaybiz Bridge and those encamped in Amiriyat al-Fallujah remains unchanged, with severe shortages of food and water.