22 April 2015

In Ramadi, security forces have succeeded in taking control of a number of areas and districts: in Sufiya, east of Ramadi, the forces have established control of the northern and northwestern areas of the town, while elements of the ‘Golden’ Division penetrated into the town center where they were met by fierce resistance from the ISIL gunmen; Iraqi air support carried out a number of sorties against Sufiya’s perimeter and on Streets 40 and 100 that are now under security forces’ control.

Security forces have also taken control of two central Ramadi districts and broad areas of the city’s western, northern, and northeastern sectors.

Meanwhile Iraqi air support and coalition have stepped up their air strikes in the Bu-Farraj area of eastern Ramadi; security forces are reporting that they have taken control of 39% of that area.

Since this morning, hundreds of families have been returning to their homes in the liberated areas of Ramadi.

In Baghdadi, security forces have surrounded the eastern sector of the town and the gunmen holed up there.

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

Military operations have been underway for a week in Garma township; Iraqi army units and those providing support have been able to penetrate deep into the town, but ISIL gunmen have been showing fierce resistance by the ISIL gunmen who are booby-trapping everything in the town.