10 July 2015

At dawn this morning, ISIL launched a broad military operation against the Khalidiya township east of Ramadi. It was a three-pronged attack: from Khalidiya Island, the Bu-Hazeem area, and the areas lying between Khalidiya Township and Ramadi City. The ISIL attackers used 7 explosives-rigged vehicles in assaulting the eastern areas of the Province; mortar fire and handheld weapons were also used by the gunmen. Initially, the ISIL gunmen advanced into eastern Husayba and its surroundings, but the intervention by Iraqi air support enabled the security forces and tribal fighters to turn back the attackers and to retake all of the areas initially overrun by the gunmen, Security forces have reported killing 11 ISIL gunmen in the fighting. Iraqi air units bombed and sank a number of boats that the gunmen used in crossing the Euphrates at Khalidiya. Six ISIL vehicles and transports were also hit and set ablaze. 2 ISIL snipers were also killed. Meanwhile, reinforcements and volunteers have been deployed to bolster the security forces’ positions at Khalidiya.

In central Ramadi, Iraqi air units have carried out strikes against ISIL positions within the city; 5 gunmen were killed by the strikes.

Security forces have established control over 75-80% of the Saqlawiya area of southwestern Fallujah. Iraqi air strikes on the area have killed at least 11 ISIL gunmen.

In Fallujah, heavy indiscriminate bombardment exchanges between security forces along the city’s perimeter and the ISIL gunmen holding the city have, according to a General Hospital source killed at least 11 residents, including women and children, and injured at least 27 others.

In Garma, security forces are reporting fierce battles for the control of the town center. Earlier reports stated that an ISIL field commander was killed in the Garma area.

In Amiriyat Al-Fallujah, strict security measures were imposed following the ISIL attack on Khalidiya Township.