03 June 2014

In Ramadi, since last night two bridges have been blown up: the first was the 'Japanese' bridge that connects Ramadi to the western Anbar townships. The second was the Al-Ma'amoun bridge that connects the town of Al-Hamidhiya to the Juwayda area of northeastern Ramadi. The two bridges are important arteries in northeastern Ramadi. There were no casualties in either location but both bridges were heavily damaged.

In Fallujah today, the emergency area at the Fallujah General Hospital was randomly shelled. At least 10 people were killed and 18 others were wounded in the crowded emergency section.

Meanwhile, the boarding facilities of Fallujah University's College of Agriculture were hit today by random gunfire. Nobody was hurt but there was panic among the students. Classes have been suspended at the university.

There have also been heavy clashes in various parts of Fallujah, especially in Al-Sichir and Al-Nu'aimiya, as well as some of the city's central residential districts.

To the northeast, Al-Garma is still the scene of fierce fighting as army forces supported by tribal and security forces attempted an incursion into the town but are being held by fierce resistance within the town.

01 June 2014

Public has been shocked by the killing of a female student in Ramadi University’s Faculty of Agriculture, in downtown Ramadi, when a stray bullet broke the window of a hall during final examinations and hit her in the neck. A male student has been injured in the shooting. It is believed the stray shots came from the Iraqi military that was operating in the area.

Relatively fierce clashes have continued in the southern parts of Ramadi city, especially in the Bakr and Hawz neighborhoods, in addition to parts of the area known as “Street 20” (Shari’ Ishrin) and the Mal’ab neighborhood.

Previously displaced due to the armed conflict, some families are now moving back to the relatively calmer neighborhoods of Jumhuri and Mu’allimin, in addition to the areas known as “Post Office Street” (Shari’ al-Barid) and “Depot Street” (Shari’ al-Mustawda’).

In Fallujah, fierce clashes continue in the area known as Hayakil, which is a compound of unfinished buildings in the property of Fallujah University. Iraqi forces has continued with intense air strikes and artillery shelling throughout the city. The toll has been 7 dead and 13 injured.

Some of the internally displaced people who have sought refuge in Hit city have demonstrated today for a solution to the Anbar crisis that has entered the sixth month. Situated in the calmer western parts of Anbar province, Hit city now accommodates some 70 thousand refugees, mainly from Fallujah city and its surroundings.

30 May 2014

In Ramadi, a curfew has been imposed today after gunmen blew up the Al-Khalidiya Bridge late last night. A car bomb driven by a suicide vest clad gunman detonated the explosives at a military barracks on the bridge, causing massive damage to the bridge. This is the 24th bridge to be blown up in Anbar Governorate since the crisis began in December 2013.

Meanwhile, medium-intensity clashes have taken place in the city's southern sector districts. Security sources indicate that these clashes have taken place following the encirclement of the gunmen within them.

In Fallujah, indiscriminate shelling is continuing; there were also fierce clashes yesterday that lasted through the night and into this morning. The heavy fighting took place at the location of the partially constructed buildings belonging to Fallujah University in southern Fallujah. The Fallujah General Hospital's initial casualty count, as announced by Dr. Ahmed Al-Shami, the lead resident at the hospital, stands at 12 people wounded and no deaths today.

The Anbar Governorate Council has welcomed Al-Maliki's proposal for a general conference on the Anbar crisis, as have some parties, blocs and tribal sheikhs taking part in the local Anbar government. They have indicated their initial acceptance to take part in the conference, provided that all of its decisions must be binding on all parties.

The Council has also announced that the governorate needs large financial amounts in order to complete the reconstruction of Anbar's  infrastructure. Estimates show that more than 200 billion dinars will be needed for the reconstruction.

The overall security situation is still confusing as a result of the renewed clashes and the curfew, but some Ramadi districts are still facing a lack of municipal services; some services are fearful of sending their people into some districts and this is delaying the resumption of services such as water and electricity supplies.

The conditions being faced by the displaced families have not changed. Hundreds, if not thousands, of families are demanding and calling upon the local and central governments  to provide food and the funds required.

29 May 2014

Fallujah is still surrounded on all sides by Iraqi army forces. Fierce clashes have taken place on the city's perimeter and in the partially constructed area of buildings belonging to Fallujah University. Many of the city's districts have been shelled, from Al-Sichir in the north, the city's central districts, and on into Al-Nu'aimiya in the south. Since last night and into this afternoon, at least 4 residents have been killed and 8 wounded by the shelling.

Military operations have also been underway in Al-Garma, northeast of Fallujah, with fierce clashes continuing between the groups of gunmen and the security forces supported by army units.

In Ramadi, military operations are continuing in the city's southern sector. Yesterday there were heavy clashes in the Al-Hawz district in southwestern Ramadi which then spread into other southern districts. An Anbar Police Command spokesman has stated that they are continuing their military operations in order to regain total control of Ramadi, and that the last square-shaped area still occupied in central Ramadi by the gunmen is totally surrounded. The source expects that total control will be achieved within one week. The areas that have been taken over by the security forces are now completely secure and we have seen some families returning to their homes in those areas.

Regarding the displaced persons, there are still many families, especially from Fallujah, that have made their way to other governorates, to Kurdistan, to Baghdad, and to the towns in western Anbar. The latter displaced families are still facing shortages of food and of the relief aid provided by the relief agencies and the local government. The local authorities are being called upon to provide medicines and medical care for the sick and the elderly, following the announcement by the Anbar Council that it is proving each displaced family with 500,000 Dinars.

Reaction to Al-Maliki's proposed conference that would be attended by all parties in the conflict has been largely positive, having been welcomed by the local government and many of the tribal sheikhs. However, some tribal sheikhs are rejecting the idea, saying that the step has come too late and that the humanitarian situation needs to be resolved first.

28 May 2014

We take a look first at the reactions to the speech by Nouri Al-Maliki in which he referred to the Anbar crisis and its resolution. The Anbar Governorate Council has welcomed the proposal for a general conference that would resolve the crisis and end the suffering of those who have been displaced, before the month of Ramadan which is due to begin in about 30 days. Favorable opinions have also been expressed by the tribal sheikhs who would also take part in the conference.

On the ground, some military operations have been carried out that resulted in clashes in different parts of Fallujah. Many residential districts have been shelled, resulting in 3 residents being killed and 3 others wounded.

Gunmen have regained control of the southern area of uncompleted buildings belonging to Fallujah University after a battle that lasted several hours.

In Ramadi the news is more positive. Security forces are still surrounding the gunmen in a square-shaped area of the city. Some displaced families have been returning to their homes in the central, eastern, and western districts. Intermittent clashes have been limited to the southern sectors of the city.

There have been some media statements regarding the reports from international organizations about the use of explosive-filled drums and about some of the practices being used by the gunmen groups that may be considered war crimes, particularly in Fallujah. The local government has called on all parties to desist from resorting to such practices that cause large numbers of civilian casualties.

The displaced persons of Anbar are still decrying the lack of services; some of the migrants demonstrated today in the western regions of Anbar, demanding an improvement in services, and the disbursement of the funds allocated by the central government. Meanwhile the local government has issued a press statement, saying that it is going to raise a case against the Iraqi parliament in support of demands for the disbursement of funds.

27 May 2014

Fallujah is still under strict security measures, amid substantiated reports of plans to launch an offensive into the city within hours or within the next few days. Meanwhile a military operation to re-establish control over the uncompleted buildings belonging to Fallujah University in the southwestern sector of the city began at dawn yesterday.

Many of the city's residential districts have been shelled, including Al-Nu'aimiya to the south and Al-Sichir to the north. According to the Fallujah General Hospital, 2 residents have been killed and 4 others have been wounded up to noontime today.

Military operations are still underway in the areas around Al-Garma. We have also observed shelling of the southwestern districts of Al-Garma, northeast of Fallujah.

Military operations are also continuing in the desert areas along the Tigris, south of Fallujah. Security forces are saying that they will attempt a six-front assault on Fallujah from all around the city. Meanwhile strict security measures have been imposed on Amiriyat Al-Fallujah in order to prevent the gunmen from moving out of Fallujah into this township.

Anbar police sources have said that the operations in Ramadi are ongoing, and there have been reports from the Anbar Command confirming that security forces have regained control of large portions of Ramadi and that more than 90% of Ramadi's districts have been taken over by local police. Gunmen are now surrounded in a square-shaped area in southeastern Ramadi. We have seen that a few families have returned to the districts that have been liberated in the city that are now relatively calm.

Regarding those displaced from Ramadi and Fallujah after nearly five months of military operations, they are having to endure severe living conditions, especially those who left their homes when fighting first broke out. Their funds and other necessities they took with them are all gone. They are demanding of the local government to provide them with the funds allocated to them, and to provide them with their food aid allocations. They are also calling on all the various aid and relief agencies to provide them with food aid that they so desperately need, given the long duration of the crisis.

During our movements around Ramadi we have observed the collapse of the city's infrastructure; there is huge damage and destruction in most of Ramadi's residential districts. It is being reported that Ramadi's reconstruction will take five years to complete, according to the Anbar Governorate Council which pointed to the huge damage caused by military operations. The local government has called on the central government to begin disbursing the funds allocated for the compensation of Anbari residents.

25 May 2014

Fallujah has been the scene, since last night and through noontime today, of military operations along the city's perimeter accompanied by the shelling of a number of its residential districts including Al-Sichir in the north and Al-Nu'aimiya in the south. The preliminary casualty count as announced by the Fallujah General Hospital lists 7 residents killed and 20 others wounded. The overall count now stands at 370 killed and at least 1,347 wounded since the eruption of fighting in December 2013.

Authoritative information indicates that the Iraqi army is planning to launch an overall offensive into the city within the next two days, especially now that the gunmen seized control yesterday of Fallujah University in the southeast sector of the city. The military is also planning to assault and take over the countryside areas around the city in addition to areas within the city itself.

In Ramadi, local police supported by army forces are carrying out security operations aimed at regaining control of areas within the city's southern sector. The Anbar Police commander, General Isma'il Al-Mhalawi, has affirmed that all of Ramadi's residential districts will be secured within this week. However residents are still unable to enter the residential districts.

Meanwhile more people are leaving Fallujah, thus swelling the numbers of migrants who have already left both Ramadi and Fallujah, who are still facing difficult living conditions, especially with the spread of disease. The Anbar Health Authority has revealed that a number of diseases, particularly skin conditions, are spreading among the displaced migrants who have taken refuge in school buildings where the summer heat is compounding their suffering.

11 May 2014

Today is the third day of the major military offensive in Fallujah; clashes and shelling are still continuing, with the military forces attempting to enter the city through the Al-Shuhada'a district. The latest casualty figures show that at least 2 people have been killed and 11 others wounded as of right now. Medical reports have emerged about the spread of cholera and bilharzias as a result of the absence of medical treatment and the profusion of garbage and waste matter.

We have witnessed the migration of hundreds of families since Friday (09 May) and the exodus has been going on through today, making their way to Hit, Haditha, Ana, and Rawa townships and elsewhere in the western Anbar regions. The sudden major migration has been the result of everyone having been taken by surprise by the military offensive, particularly since recent reports had indicated that there would not be any military action or incursion into Fallujah. The rush to evacuate has forced many families to flee without being able to carry any necessities, and they have been unable to find any means of transport, so they are making their way on foot for long distances to the outskirts of the city where they were able to find vehicles to transport them westward.

The commander of the 'Golden Division' announced today that his forces have seized control of Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, as well as the Al-Falahat, Al-Nassaf, Al-Bu Alwan, and Al-Halabcha areas that are outside and to the south of Fallujah. The general affirmed that at least 97 ISIL gunmen were killed and more than 10 of their vehicles were set ablaze, in addition to de-fusing numerous explosive devices and booby-trapped cars. The commander went on to say that plans are in place to overrun the Fallujah barrage that is still under the control of the gunmen.

Military sources have today revealed that more than 42,000 military personnel are taking part in the Fallujah offensive. This is a large number and is probably more than the numbers deployed throughout the governorate.

10 May 2014

Fallujah - where a major offensive by army, police, air force, local police, and SWAT teams was launched yesterday - is today the scene of fierce clashes on four fronts: from the north at Al-Sichir, from the south at Al-Nu'aimiya, from the west at the Fallujah barrage, and from the area of Fallujah University. Very loud explosions can still be heard, violent clashes are still raging, and random shelling of many of the city's residential districts is ongoing, as well as the northern areas adjacent to Al-Garma township. As of this afternoon, at least 14 people have been killed and at least 47 have been wounded as a result. The Fallujah General Hospital was again hit this morning by mortar fire which resulted in structural damage but there were no injuries reported.

The exodus of Fallujah's residents is still underway on a large scale, even after the departure yesterday of more than 1,000 families. There is, of course no transportation and these people are making their way on foot. In an ugly incident yesterday, an entire family consisting of 4 children, their parents, their grandmother, and the driver who was a relative, were killed at the Al-Maftoul crossing when the car in which they were traveling was targeted by mortar fire.

Reports are still indicating that there is a direct confrontation between the gunmen and the security forces surrounding Fallujah, but security sources are confirming that they have not made any headway against the fierce resistance by the ever-present gunmen. The sources are indicating that more time will be given in order to wear down the gunmen, thus enabling the military forces to overcome the armed groups within the city.

Following the announcement by the leader of the Anbar Governorate Council, Sabah Karhout, that the Fallujah barrage has been re-taken by government forces and that the Euphrates water levels are receding, but there is no indication of that claim on the ground. Initially, the river water had been redirected toward the Tharthar Lake beyond Fallujah, but there are still large areas of what has become marshland in Abu Ghraib and areas south of Fallujah and southern Al-Nu'aimiya. At least 16,000 people have been displaced by the flooding and the quagmires that have resulted. The resulting health hazard and the evil-smells has already been reported as having made many people sick with diarrhea. The lack of action by official agencies has left many angered and desperate people. Meanwhile, flood waters are still making their way toward Baghdad, but some experts are saying that the water will be diverted away from the capital.

In Ramadi, there have been some clashes in the city's southern sector, and groups of gunmen are still trying to establish positions within the city, hoping to alleviate the pressure on the gunmen in Fallujah. However, the level of the clashes is far below what is going on in Fallujah. Although there might still be a peaceful solution being sought, it is the military option that appears to be the only viable option.

Other Anbar regions have also experienced some security developments: the Rawa township in the west, which has been relatively quiet all along, experienced the detonation of two explosive devices that targeted an Iraqi Army patrol, killing 4 of the security personnel.

Al-Garma, the township northeast of Fallujah, is still completely surrounded and the town is fully blockaded; yesterday was one of the most violent days it has experienced; a leaked video clip has shown the dropping of the exploding drums that were dropped from the air onto the town. The electricity distribution center and a number of schools have been targeted and major damage has been inflicted on government buildings in the town as well as civilian dwellings. 11 people have been reported injured in Al-Garma in the operations that are still going on since last night.

9 May 2014

A security  campaign in Fallujah which is still underway has involved a three-pronged incursion into the city: firstly, from the south in the area of Fallujah University, from the north in the Al-Sichir area, and from the east in the area of the main Fallujah - Baghdad highway. The operation involved random shelling, ground attacks, and air attacks on all three fronts. The fierce battles which are still raging have not resulted in any advances by the army and its supporting forces because of the fierce resistance by the gunmen. Initial estimates indicate that 16 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and 29 have been wounded as a result of the fighting.

There has been a mass exodus by hundreds of families from the city - on foot, because no vehicles are moving in the city - trying to reach more secure areas. Cell phone services have also been cut off, as have all means of communication as well as internet access.

Two areas outside Fallujah - Al-Fallahat and Al-Bu Alwan - have also been the scene of security operations carried out by SWAT teams and local police forces attempting to overrun the areas, but clashes and random shelling - which began last night and are still ongoing - have not yet decided the outcome.

So far there has been no official news or any statements by the security command in the governorate regarding the fighting raging in Fallujah.