27 July 2015

In Ramadi today, security forces have completed their control over the city's southern front, having announced that they have liberated all of Ramadi University's buildings and have reached the demarcation line of the Ta'meem district. Meanwhile, heavy equipment and reinforcements have been deployed in the city's southern sector. Security forces have also killed three would-be suicide bombers driving three explosives-rigged vehicles attempting to approach the Anbar University campus. All three vehicles were destroyed.

Security forces also launched a military operation east of Ramadi and into the areas leading to the southern sector.

In fierce clashes in Khalidiya, north of Ramadi, security forces have killed at least 35 ISIL gunmen.

Families are still making their way out of Ramadi, using access routes that have been cleared by security forces, especially from the southern and eastern sectors of the city. Meanwhile, intelligence reports indicate that ISIL gunmen are fleeing from within Ramadi toward Hit township.

In Fallujah, security forces have thwarted an ISIL attack on the Tharthar barrage area in southernmost Fallujah. Hundreds of families are still leaving the fully-surrounded city, but there are reports that the gunmen have resorted to using more than 4,000 families as human shields within the city.

Security forces are still closing in on Garma's town center and are now within about 3 kilometers from their goal.

The Jazeera and Badiya forces in western Anbar have announced that they have killed at least 17 ISIL gunmen, including 3 snipers, in the Baghdadi township when they attempted an attack on a military barracks in southwestern Baghdadi.

25 July 2015

Joint Security forces supported by People's Mobilization and tribal fighters have established full control of Ramadi's eastern front, further tightening their stranglehold on the city from every direction.

Security forces have also gained ground in the city's southwestern sector, toward the former Anbar Operations building.

Meanwhile, Iraqi and Coalition air strikes have targeted specific targets and position in central and southwestern Ramadi. There are reports that at least 35 ISIL gunmen were killed by the strikes.

Ramadi families are continuing to leave the city, and ISIL commanders have been fleeing toward the Province's western regions, specifically toward Hit township and its surroundings.

In Fallujah, security forces are strengthening their grip around the city by cutting off all access routes. There have, however, been clashes in the city's western outskirts. Iraqi air support and Coalition warplanes have struck a number of ISIL positions in and around the city, killing at least 20 of the gunmen.

In Garma, security forces are still surrounding the town center amid fierce clashes between them and the embattled ISIL gunmen within the center.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, mortar fire has struck a number of the town's residential districts, causing slight structural damage without causing any injuries. 

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.

13 July 2015

At 02:00 today, the launch of the major military operation to liberate Anbar was announced. Fallujah was the scene of the initial action, with a six-pronged assault: mainly in the southern, western, and northwestern sectors. Security forces on the city's perimeter have reported that they have advanced about 200 meters from their original positions. Heavy aerial bombardment targeted many of the city's outskirts in addition to the central districts. Security forces have also reported that they lured a large number of ISIL gunmen into an ambush they set up at a military barracks, killing at least 23 gunmen.

A major military operation was also launched in Ramadi from four fronts: in the southern, eastern, and southwestern sectors. An ISIL field commander was killed in the fighting in the northeastern sector of the city. Anbar Operations have announced that the air campaign is still continuing and that the ground offensive has not yet been launched on Ramadi. Meanwhile Iraqi and Coalition air attacks have been targeting positions in Ramadi, Fallujah, and Garma.

Meanwhile, Anbar Operations, Anbar Police, and the Defense Ministry have confirmed that more than 10,000 fighters are involved in the campaign, in addition to more than 5,000 tribal volunteers.

Security forces have also announced that the campaign will increase in scope to include the Province's western regions: Hit, Ana, Rawa, Haditha, Rutba, Al-Qaim have not yet seen any of today's action but will be included in the upcoming phase of the campaign.

There have also been reports indicating that the ISIL commanders in Fallujah - particularly the foreigners - have been fleeing the city, and sources are reporting that 12 ISIL gunmen were killed in Fallujah - a first for Fallujah in over a year. Reports are also indicating that many of the explosions in Fallujah were detonated by units previously infiltrated into the city by security forces.

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.

28 June 2015

In Fallujah today, a General Hospital source has reported that the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen that have been holding the city itself for more than a year have killed 15 residents, including 4 women and 3 children, and wounded at least 27. Clashes are ongoing and several residential districts have been hit by mortar and rocket fire.

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, security forces have turned back one of the fiercest ISIL attacks northeast of the town that has also been subjected to incoming bombardment of its residential districts. Two explosives-rigged vehicles were blown up by security forces.

In Ramadi, stringent security measures have been adopted all along the city’s perimeter. The Anbar Police commander announced today that more than 1,000 tribal volunteers have completed their training and have been deployed in support of the security forces. Their have been some skirmishes in the city’s eastern and northeastern areas, in eastern Husayba, and Juwayba. Iraqi gun ships have attacked a number of targets in various districts, killing at least 4 ISIL gunmen in Bu-Farraj.

In Hit, sorties by Iraqi gun ships over the last two days have struck a number of ISIL positions, killing 7 ISIL gunmen. Three civilians were also killed and 7 were wounded by the strikes. 

25 June 2015

In Hit township today, Iraqi gunships and coalition warplanes carried out a number of sorties, striking the Shari’a Courthouse and the agricultural complex in central Hit, where intelligence reports indicated that ISIL meetings and gatherings were underway at both locations. Subsequent contacts with sources within the town indicate that the bodies of dozens of ISIL gunmen were lying in the streets, and that ISIL commanders gathered at the courthouse were also killed. The strikes began early this morning and continued throughout the morning. The former Women’s Association building in Hit was also hit.

Meanwhile in Ramadi, the city is still fully besieged; large numbers of the People’s Mobilization fighters have also been deployed in support of the security forces around the city. Iraqi gunships and coalition warplanes have once again struck various areas of the city in advance of the imminent major ground military operation to liberate the city. The strikes are reported by Anbar Operations as having killed at least 11 ISIL gunmen. Security forces in the southern an southwestern sectors are continuing in their efforts to clear routes out of the city to enable residents to evacuate from ISIL-controlled districts.

In Fallujah, the intense bombardment of the city has continued for the tenth straight day; the General Hospital reported today that 9 residents, including 3 children and 2 women, were killed and 21 others wounded by the indiscriminate bombardment exchanges.

In Garma, the security situation remains unchanged, with security forces still trying to assault the town center after having cleared most of the surrounding areas and districts.

In western Anbar, security force have repelled ISIL’s advances from the southwestern sector of Haditha and the Jubba area across the river from Baghdadi.

19 June 2015

In Ramadi, ISIL gunmen today launched numerous attacks, trying to gain ground in the eastern and northeastern areas of the city.

Security forces successfully thwarted the attacks, especially in the eastern Husayba and Jubba areas along both banks of the Euphrates. Iraqi air support has, since the early hours of this morning, carried out a number of sorties against positions believed to be manned by the gunmen. Security sources have reported that at least 23 gunmen were killed in the eastern sector of the city.

Clashes have also spread to the southern and southwestern sectors, where security forces have advanced and set up new front lines.

Meanwhile a security operation has given security forces control over all of the access roads between Hit and Ramadi.

In Garma today, security forces have declared their control over the town center, following a 10-day battle to achieve that goal.

Most of the roads and streets within the township had been mined and rigged with explosive devices that the advancing forces have been disabling during their advance into the town center. Four ISIL gunmen were killed by security forces in the outskirts of the town.

In Fallujah, an initial casualty count shows that 5 residents were killed and 9 were wounded by the continuing random bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been controlling the city for over one year.

On the humanitarian front, high summer temperatures are adding to the suffering of the displaced migrants who are still struggling with food shortages and the lack of relief aid.

17 June 2015

In Ramadi’s outskirts, strict security measures are still in place and preparations are continuing for the imminent broad-scale campaign to liberate the city. The local police commander announced today that security forces are fully prepared for the ground campaign to liberate the city. 

Meanwhile fierce clashes took place along the city’s southern and southwestern perimeters, in addition to the eastern Husayba area and on towards the riverside areas in northeastern Ramadi.

Iraqi air support has carried out a number of sorties against targets along the perimeter of the city and also in its central districts. So far, Anbar Operations have reported that 7 ISIL gunmen were killed in the clashes and strikes. Meanwhile the city is fully blockaded by security forces. 

In Fallujah today, for the third consecutive day, has been heavily bombarded by mortar fire. The General Hospital has reported that 7 residents were killed and 9 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between the security forces controlling the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen who have been holding the city itself for more than a year. 

In Hit township, Iraqi air units have struck a military camp known as the ‘Abu Mus’ab Al-Zarqawi Camp’ in the township’s southwestern sector. There are reports that at least 23 ISIL gunmen, including six of their leaders in the Hit area, were killed there. 

The Defense Minister arrived today in Haditha township. He ordered the urgent dispatch of relief aid to the Haditha and Baghdadi areas. 

In Garma, security forces have infiltrated into the town center, but fierce fighting is continuing for control of the town’s center.

16 June 2015

In Amiriyat al-Fallujah, ISIL gunmen fired at least 25 Katyusha rockets at residential districts within the town. So far, reports say that 3 local police personnel were killed and 5 civilians were wounded by the bombardment. Security forces barracks on the outskirts of the township were also hit. A curfew has been declared in the southwestern sector of the township where fierce clashes are now underway.

In Ramadi, security forces are reported to be advancing from all four directions, in preparation for the broad military campaign aimed at re-taking control of the city that has been held by ISIL for over a month.

In Hit township, security forces announced this morning that the ISIL ‘Wali’ of Hit, a Saudi national known as Abu Talha, was killed by silenced weapons at 03:00 this morning in the town center. This is the first time that a leading ISIL commander has been killed in Hit that is still under ISIL control.

In Baghdadi and Haditha, clashes have continued in the southern and southwestern areas of Baghdadi township. Iraqi air support has struck a number of positions, particularly along the Euphrates in the Jubba area. Security forces have reported that 11 gunmen were killed in the strikes.

Food aid has arrived today in the Baghdadi and Haditha townships, just prior to the start of Ramadan.

In Fallujah, casualty reports show that 4 residents were killed and 9 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges.

In Garma, security forces are still engaged in the fighting to take control of the town center. 

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.

02 June 2015

Military reinforcements have today been deployed around, and surrounding, both Fallujah and Ramadi. There are reports that People’s Mobilization militiamen and security forces around Fallujah have given its residents 72 hours to evacuate the city prior to launching a massive military operation to liberate Fallujah that has been under ISIL control for more than a year.

In Ramadi, fierce clashes erupted today, allowing security forces to take full control of all the areas between the Euphrates and central Ramadi. In Juwayba east of Ramadi, a 12-member family was killed when an explosive device was detonated in that area.

In other clashes, security forces have taken control of the 35 km. area and the areas between Ramadi and Hit, leaving all the areas in that sector under security forces’ control. There are also reports that security forces will launch a military operation in the coming hours, following the shutting down of Ramadi’s water supply when ISIL closed all the sluice gates at the Warrar Barrage; water levels have fallen in Khalidiya and Habbaniya.

Iraqi and coalition aircraft have carried out strikes in a number of Ramadi’s districts, including the Bu-Farraj and surrounding areas, down to districts in the city’s southern sector.

In Fallujah, the ongoing random bombardment exchanges have killed 4 residents and wounded 9 others.

07 May 2015

Military operations are still underway in a number of districts in Ramadi: security forces and Iraqi gun ships have killed an ISIL commander and 3 of his aides in the Jazeera area.

Operations in the eastern Sufiya area have enabled security forces to advance deep into the town, but ISIL resistance and counterattacks have been slowing the advance; security forces have reported that at least 13 gunmen have been killed there.

Operations are also continuing in Ramadi’s southern sector Hawz and adjacent districts toward the government complex in the city center where Iraqi air support has prevented the gunmen from reaching the complex.

Meanwhile life is back to normal in the city’s central districts, with substantial activity in the public marketplaces.

Also today, security forces have launched a number of attacks in the Bu-Farraj area in northernmost Ramadi. Operations began today in the Shjariya area and have made advances with the deployment of military equipment and vehicles into Ramadi.

In Baghdadi and its surrounding areas, military reinforcements have also been deployed in preparation for a major military operation on Baghdadi and Hit township, with the aim of liberating these areas from the ISIL presence.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source reported a short time ago that 6 residents have been killed and 6 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces around the city and the ISIL gunmen within the city that they have been holding for more than a year.

31 March 2015

In Ramadi, security forces have imposed a curfew throughout the city, following the broad offensive launched by ISIL gunmen in northeastern Ramadi. The security forces there have withdrawn to the city center following a car-bomb attack and a number of suicide bombers who carried out their missions at positions held by the security forces. The fierce clashes that erupted were what triggered the withdrawal.

Meanwhile, coalition warplanes have attacked an ISIL column advancing toward the westernmost outskirts of Ramadi that link the city with Hit township. The column was on its way to reinforcing the ISIL forces in northeastern Ramadi. Anbar Operations sources are reporting that dozens of the gunmen in the 20-vehicle column were 'annihilated'.

Meanwhile security forces have called on the Rapid Deployment forces and elements of the 'Golden Division' to provide support in the operations to re-take the area. There are also reports that ISIL is planning to use large numbers of car-bombs to be used in their assault on central Ramadi that has been practically abandoned by residents fearing for their lives and safety.

Clashes are also continuing to the east, in the areas between Ramadi and the 'Japanese Bridge', even though security forces are reported to be in control of most parts of the area.

In Garma, coalition warplanes and Iraqi air support have carried out numerous strikes on the areas between the center of the town and its southwestern reaches. Sources are reporting that at least 25 ISIL gunmen have been killed by the strikes.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has reported that 3 residents have been killed and at least 11 wounded by the random bombardment exchanges between security forces surrounding the city and the ISIL gunmen holding the city.

29 March 2015

In Ramadi, security forces have destroyed a booby-trapped vehicle before the ISIL gunmen could detonate it in the city’s southern sector Hawz district. Security forces have also killed 8 gunmen who had attacked them in the same area. Fierce clashes then erupted and spread into the neighboring districts.

In the area between Khalidiya and the ‘Japanese Bridge’ into the northeast of Ramadi, another explosives-loaded vehicle attempting to assault a 1^st Division position was detonated by security forces before it reached its target. 4 gunmen were killed at the scene. 

Meanwhile, military operations are continuing in the areas around Garma. Security forces with Iraqi support have today killed at least 13 gunmen in Garma township. Meanwhile Garma’s town center is still surrounded on all sides by security forces, but an incursion into the town has not yet been attempted. In clashes around the town, security forces have bombarded a number of ISIL positions, killing at least 33 gunmen in the town center.

Security forces have also disarmed at least 36 explosive devices planted by ISIL gunmen in clashes in the Tharthar area which was also targeted by Iraqi air strikes.

In Fallujah, a General Hospital source has reported that 3 residents have been killed and at least 7 wounded by the ongoing random bombardment exchanges between security forces on the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city itself.

Meanwhile the western Anbar townships, particularly Hit, Baghdadi, and Haditha have all been relatively calm today.

15 March 2015

In Ramadi, amid a widespread military operation, large numbers of mortar rounds have struck the central residential districts, so far killing at least 2 residents and wounding 6.

In the Hawz district two car bombs were detonated, targeting military barracks; latest reports say that 5 security personnel were killed and 7 wounded,

The deputy commander of the antiterrorist force in Ramadi reported that his forces have targeted a gathering of ISIL gunmen in the southern Andalus district, killing 7 ISIL commanders.

Fierce clashes broke out when gunmen attempted to assault the city's southern sector in Hawz district, but fierce resistance by the security forces there, with Iraqi air support, have inflicted devastating losses on the attacking gunmen.

In the city's northeastern sector, security forces, with Iraqi air support have also repelled an ISIL attack on the sector, affirming that as of now they are in full control of the situation.

In Garma, military operations are continuing; a field security commander has affirmed that the first phase of the operation is over, and that the second phase is to be aimed at taking control of the opposite side of the Euphrates where there is still a presence of ISIL gunmen. It has been reported that at least 23 gunmen have been killed

Anbar Operations Command has reported that coalition warplanes have carried out sorties against ISIL targets in the area of Rawa and Anah. Iraqi air strikes have also targeted ISIL positions in the rural outskirts of Baghdadi.

Hit is still under total siege by security forces amid reports of an imminent military operation in that area.

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.

08 March 2015

In Garma, Security forces are still waging fierce battles to liberate the township from ISIL's control. There are reports that they have taken control of the Qaraghol area northeast of the town. It has also just ben announced that the security forces have also taken control of tareas in the township's southeastern sector. Anbar Operations has also announced that 43 ISIL gunmen have been killed during these military operations. Areas in the town's outskirts closest to the capital's administrative areas in Abu Ghraib have also been secured. Two bridges linking Garma with Fallujah have also been secured.

In Baghdadi, the 7th Brigade command announced today that its commanding officer, Brig.- Gen. Abdul Majeed al-Luhaibi, has been wounded in the fighting that has been continuing since yesterday evening in the Bu-Hayyat area of the township where security forces have taken control.

In Baghdadi town, virtually all of the town's districts are now controlled by security forces, including the areas on the other side of the river. Numerous mines and explosive devices have been cleared in those areas.

In Kubaysa, south of Hit, security forces are positioned along three flanks, but there have not yet been any clashes prior to the expected battle for the area's liberation. Kubaysa residents have been advised by security forces to leave the town.

In Ramadi, military operations have been continuing in the city's southern sector> ISIL forces had attempted to launch a surprise attack into the city but security forces were able to turn them back. Anbar Operations have reported that 7 gunmen, including 3 non-Iraqi Arab nationals, were killed.

In Khalidiya, the area's administrator, Ali Dawood, announced that security forces have taken control of the highway between his area and Habbaniya Township.