Battle of Ramadi (2015–16)

For the battle that ended in May 2015, see Battle of Ramadi (2014–15). For other battles in Ramadi, see Battle of Ramadi (disambiguation).
Battle of Ramadi (2015–16)
Part of the Iraqi Civil War (2014–present),
the American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present),
and the Anbar offensive (2015–present)

Ramadi in 2008
Date25 November 2015 – 9 February 2016
(2 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
LocationRamadi, Anbar Governorate, Iraq
Result Major Iraqi victory[1][2]
Territorial
changes
  • Iraqi forces recapture Ramadi and its suburbs[1][2]
  • 80% of Ramadi city is destroyed during the fighting[3][4]
Belligerents

Iraq Iraq

Air support:[6]

  Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders

Iraq Haider al-Abadi
Iraq Maj. General Hadi Rezeig[9]

Iraq Lt. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Leader)[10]
Abu Suleiman al-Naser (Military Chief)
Dohan al-Rawi † (ISIL War Minister)[11]
Abu Waheeb (Top ISIL Commander in Anbar)
Khaled al-Sadoun (ISIL Governor of Anbar Province)[12]
Abu Bakr (POW) (Top ISIL commander in Ramadi)[13]
Abu Ahmed al-Alwani † (Senior commander)[14]
Hatem al-Bilawi †[15]

Mustafa Jassim †[15]
Strength

10,000 Iraqi soldiers[16]

  • 2,500+ Iraqi tribal fighters[17]
3,000+ Shi'ite militiamen (Only in Ramadi outskirts)[18]		 1,800–2,000 fighters[19][20][21][22]
Casualties and losses
150–297+ killed, 1,000+ wounded[23][24]

600 killed (per a former intelligence advisor)[4]
1,450+ killed (per U.S. and tribal sources)[19][25][26]
2,000 killed (per alleged ISIL document)[27]

190+ captured[28]
505,300+ civilians displaced[29][30]
143+ civilians killed[31][32][33][34]
Location within Iraq

The Battle of Ramadi (2015–16) was a battle launched by the forces of Iraq, seeking to recapture the city of Ramadi from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which had taken the city earlier in 2015 in a previous battle. It is also the 100th battle that has erupted in Ramadi since 2003.[3] From July 2015 through late February 2016, the United States and other nations conducted 858+ airstrikes in the Ramadi area.[35][36] In February 2016, it was predicted that it would take several months to clear Ramadi city of the bombs ISIL left behind, with at least 9 months needed to clear Ramadi's Tamim District.[37] At the time, Ramadi had suffered more damage than any other city or town in Iraq.[37]

Background

ISIL capture of Ramadi

On May 17, 2015, ISIL captured the city of Ramadi, after launching multiple waves of suicide attacks during a sandstorm, which caused Iraqi forces to retreat from the city.

Anbar offensive

On the dawn of July 13, the Iraqi Army, backed by the Shiite and Sunni pro-government militias, launched an offensive to recapture Anbar province. The Iraqi forces also reportedly pushed towards Ramadi from the west and the south.[38] By afternoon, the Iraqi Army retook the Ramadi Olympic stadium in western Ramadi and reached the eastern part of the city. According to Iraqi officials, pro-government fighters also pushed the extremists from the areas east of Ramadi.[39] On August 11, a senior official with the US-led coalition said that Iraqi forces had surrounded the city and were preparing for a final assault to retake it.[40] On August 26, ISIL suicide bombers killed two Iraqi army generals and three soldiers north of Fallujah. Maj. Gen. Abdul-Rahman Abu-Regheef, deputy chief of operations in Anbar, and Brig. Gen. Sefeen Abdul-Maguid, commander of the 10th Army Division were both killed.[41]

By late September, the operation to retake Ramadi was considered to have stalled, with Iraqi Security Forces positioned on the outskirts of Ramadi, but unable to mount an incursion into the city proper.[42][43] Political squabbles between Iranian backed militias and the Abadi administration were also hampering potential offensives.[44] On September 25, the United States urged the Iraqi Army to hasten the operation, acknowledging that "...the Iraqis have not made any significant forward movement recently."[45]

In early October, Iraqi forces renewed their operations in Ramadi, capturing several areas to the north and west, including the main road west of Ramadi.[46] By October 13, Iraqi troops had advanced 15 kilometers and encircled the city, according to US officials.[47][48]

In mid-November, Iraqi forces recaptured the emergency directorate headquarters in Ramadi.[49]

The Battle

Completing the siege

On November 25, 2015, the Iraqi Army launched the offensive to retake Ramadi,[19][50] cutting ISIL's last supply line into the city of Ramadi, via the Euphrates River, by seizing the strategic Palestine Bridge.[51] The operation at Palestine Bridge and other areas in northwestern Ramadi were supported by 7 Coalition airstrikes.[50]

On November 29, the Iraqi Army began dropping leaflets into Ramadi, warning of an imminent offensive and warning civilians to flee. However, only a few families managed to flee, since ISIL had closed off the corridor in southeastern Ramadi designated by the Iraqi Government, and ISIL also locked down the city, threatening to kill anyone who tried to escape.[52]

Battle for the city center

On December 4, Iraqi forces began advancing towards Ramadi's southwestern Tamim District, from the Anbar University and Tash District areas.[53] On December 8, Iraqi forces pushed into Ramadi city for the first time since the beginning of the offensive,[19] capturing Tamim, a key district in the southwestern area of Ramadi, separated from the rest of Ramadi city by the al-Waar River, a tributary of the Euphrates. The Iraqi Army also recaptured the Anbar Operation Control Center, near the Palestine Bridge.[53] The battle was claimed to be a resounding success, with Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service spokesman Sabah al-Numani telling the AFP news agency that after troops launched their assault on Tamim, ISIL militants "had no choice except to surrender or fight" and that they were "completely destroyed".[54] After the advances, the Iraqi Government claimed that it had recaptured 60% of the Ramadi area from ISIL, although most of the city proper still remained under ISIL control.[55] During the operation to capture the Tamim District, 350 ISIL militants were killed by US-led Coalition airstrikes.[25][56] On December 10, ISIL forces blew up the Warrar Dam,[57] which linked the Anbar Operations Control Center to northwestern Ramadi city, leaving the Qassim Bridge as the last working bridge in Ramadi, which runs from al-Tamim into the southern al-Humaira District.[58]

On December 15, two RAF Typhoon FGR4s supported the Iraqi army in its operations around Ramadi, and struck an ISIL encampment with two Paveway IVs.[59] The next day, RAF Tornados assisted the Iraqi troops battling ISIL on the outskirts of Ramadi, and used Paveway IVs to destroy heavy machine-gun positions, a sniper team and a group of fighters.

On 18 December 2015, the 55th Brigade of the Iraqi Armed Forces called in a U.S airstrike to cover their advance because their army helicopters would not fly due to bad weather. The airstrike misfired by a few kilometers and hit the Iraqi army, killing 9 soldiers including one officer and army commander.[60]

Later on December 20, a second pair of GR4s flew a reconnaissance mission over Ramadi, where they provided surveillance assistance to an attack by other Coalition aircraft.[59] On December 20, Iraqi planes also dropped leafets into Ramadi again, warning civilians to leave the city within 72 hours.[61]

On December 22, Iraqi forces advanced into the center of the city of Ramadi, and headed towards the main government complex.[62] The 3-pronged attack was launched from al-Tamim and al-Humaira Districts in the southwest and south, northwards into the central al-Hoz District, and the Andalus and al-Malab Districts further east.[58] Iraqi forces had constructed a temporary bridge over the al-Warrar River, allowing them to cross over into the southern Hoz District, where they reportedly surprised the ISIL forces there.[63] Two pairs of RAF Tornados and an RAF Reaper, provided the Iraqis with continuous close air support alongside other coalition aircraft. When ISIL fighters fired rocket-propelled grenades and small arms at Iraqi soldiers tending to wounded personnel, the Tornados intervened with a very accurate Paveway strike. The Reaper, meanwhile, assisted other Coalition aircraft in an attack that destroyed an anti-aircraft gun.[59] Fighting continued the next day, while Iraqi reinforcements, including US-trained Sunni tribal fighters were sent to secure the recaptured parts of Ramadi, in order to allow the first wave of troops to continue pushing toward the government complex in the city centre.[64] On December 23, 2 flights of RAF Tornado GR4s were contributing to the coalition air effort which supported the Iraqi army’s offensive into the centre of Ramadi, the Tornados targets included three terrorist teams armed with rocket propelled grenades, a sniper position, a Daesh group in close combat with Iraqi troops, and a large group of at least 17 terrorists, who suffered a direct hit in 6 attacks, again with Paveway IVs.[65] By December 25, Iraqi and allied tribal forces had managed to enter the al-Haouz District, and also were about 500 meters away from the main government complex.[66] RAF Tornados maintained close air support over Ramadi, once again working closely with other coalition aircraft, they used Paveway IVs against 2 terrorist teams, an anti-aircraft gun, and a massed Daesh group who were assembling for an attempted counterattack on the successful Iraqi advance.[65] On December 26, Iraqi forces captured the Ramadi Barrage, in northwestern Ramadi city, and evacuated 120 civilian families from the city.[67]

On December 27, the Iraqi Army captured the government complex, after which they declared victory in Ramadi,[68] and claimed to be in full control of the city center. ISIL militants were reported to have fled northeast. However, fighting was still reported southwest of the government complex,[69] as pockets of ISIL resistance remained. On December 28, Iraqi forces completely recaptured the city center of Ramadi, after the remaining ISIL forces withdrew from the government complex and the surrounding areas in the Hoz District.[16][70] However, on the same day, it was confirmed that ISIL was still in control of 30 percent of the city.[71] On December 29, RAF Typhoons and Tornado GR4s operated over Ramadi, as the Iraqi forces closed in on remaining pockets of ISIL militants. The Typhoons bombed two machine gun positions, while the Tornadoes conducted three attacks on a further two machine gun nests and a strongpoint. Despite bad weather meaning that these attacks had to be carried out through thick cloud and with Iraqi soldiers in close proximity to the targets, careful planning by the aircrew and the precision guidance systems of the Paveway IV bombs allowed all the attacks to be successful without risk to friendly forces.[65] During the week of the final offensive on central Ramadi, an estimated 400 ISIL fighters were killed.[19][72]

Clearing the city

On December 30, 2015, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited Ramadi and raised the Iraqi flag at the government complex.[73] During his visit, ISIL forces in a part of the city still under their control fired three mortar rounds at his position; they landed 500 meters away, but the incident forced al-Abadi to leave the area.[74] ISIL casualties during the battle were reportedly high, while Iraqi Army casualties were relatively low.[73] Two RAF Tornado GR4s provided close air support over Ramadi, where they bombed machine gun positions engaged in close combat with Iraqi troops, and assisted another coalition aircraft in a strike on an ISIL team armed with rocket propelled grenades.[65] On December 31, ISIL executed 40 civilians who tried to flee the city to areas controlled by the Iraqi Army.[32]

On January 3, 2016, ISIL attacked and briefly seized an Iraqi Army base of the 10th Division in Al Tarah, using suicide car bombers and fighters wearing explosive belts. However, the base was retaken by the Iraqi army with the help of coalition airstrikes on the same day.[75] Three Iraqi soldiers were killed and 17 wounded in the attack.[76] Around the same time, the US estimated that there were still 700 ISIL militants holed up in pockets of central and eastern Ramadi,[20][77] indicating that there were at least 700 more ISIL militants in the city than had been initially estimated;[78] the figure was confirmed by Iraqi officials.[79] RAF Typhoons delivered four successful attacks in Ramadi against terrorist positions, including a mortar team. A second Typhoon mission over Ramadi conducted no less than six attacks, accounting for five machine-guns and a sniper position.[80]

On January 3, 2016, the Iraqi Government declared that it had recaptured 80% of Ramadi city, and that the only pockets of ISIL resistance in the city proper remaining were located in the al-Malab and 20th Street areas.[81] On January 4, 2016, a British official stated that the number of ISIL militants remaining in Ramadi had been reduced to around 400 fighters.[14] RAF Tornado GR4s provided close air support to the Iraqi army as they continued their operations to eliminate the remaining terrorist fighters in and around Ramadi. When an Iraqi unit came under rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from several ISIL-held buildings, the GR4s conducted accurate strikes on all four buildings using Paveway IVs. The Tornadoes were tasked to deal with a group of terrorists who were preparing for a counter-attack. Despite this being a difficult target for most weapons, the GR4s were able to score a direct hit with a Brimstone missile. An RAF Reaper was also patrolling over Ramadi; it provided surveillance support for three air strikes by coalition fast jets, and also conducted two attacks using its own weapons, employing a GBU-12 laser guided bomb against an ISIL machine-gun team, and destroyed two terrorist trucks with a single Hellfire missile.[80]

On January 5, 2016, the Iraqi Army captured the Bruwana District, in the western part of Ramadi.[82] On the same day, the Iraqi Government reported that aerial bombardments in the western part of Ramadi had killed 250 ISIL militants, and destroyed 100 vehicles that were used by ISIL.[83] Later on, it was revealed that ISIL War Minister Dohan al-Rawi had been killed in the bombing, which had followed a five-hour siege on his position.[11] On January 6, ISIL was reported to have detonated large parts of the Ramadi General Hospital, and moved the civilians present to other parts of the city that they controlled, before the arrival of the Iraqi Army.[84] Later on the same day, US Colonel Steve Warren stated that another 60 ISIL militants had been killed in Ramadi in the past day, and that only a handful of "squad-size ISIS units" remained in Ramadi, numbering no more than 12 militants per group. It was estimated that only 300 ISIL militants remained in Ramadi at this point.[85] On January 7, the Iraqi Army announced that it had recaptured the Ramadi General Hospital and reached the Ramadi Great Mosque.[86] It was also reported that ISIL had detonated the hospital's ground floor.[86][87]

Around this time, the Iraqi military slowed down its operations, to try and minimize civilian casualties, as they reported that ISIL was using civilians as human shields. ISIL continued to have a strong presence in the eastern part of the city.[88]

On January 8, the Iraqi Army recaptured the al-Malab District in southeastern Ramadi.[89] On the same day, the OHCHR reported that the Iraqi Army had saved 1,000 civilians trapped in Ramadi, who were transferred to refugee camps in Habbaniyah.[90] On the next day, the Iraqi Army recaptured the Andalus District, Ramadi Great Mosque, and Maaref University, in eastern Ramadi.[91][92] On the same day, a Coalition airstrike reportedly killed 25 ISIL commanders in eastern Ramadi.[15] On January 10, the Iraqi Army rescued another 635 civilians from eastern Ramadi, who were then sent to Habbaniyah.[93] It was also reported that ISIL's control of Ramadi had been reduced to seven districts on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi.[29][93] However, the bombs left behind by ISIL across Ramadi were slowing down the progress of Iraqi forces in clearing the city, and consequently, most of the city still remained off-limits to civilians.[29] On January 11, the Iraqi Government announced that the Anbar Security Department had been recaptured.[94] On January 12, Iraqi forces evacuated another 250 civilians from the Sajjariyah and al-Sofiyah Districts, on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi.[95] On January 12, it was also reported that ISIL executed several fighters who fled Ramadi, by burning them alive in the town square of Mosul.[96] Later on, it was reported that since the offensive for central Ramadi began in late December 2015, 600+ ISIL militants had been killed in the city proper.[4]

Operations slow, clearing the outskirts

On January 13, the Iraqi Army recaptured the al-Sofiyah[97] and Albu Aitha Districts on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi,[98] after giving civilians 2 days to leave the area. At least 30 ISIL militants were killed and 12 others were captured; 10 Iraqi soldiers were killed in the clashes.[97] This left ISIL in control of only the Albu Sawdah, Albu Mahl, Albu Khalifa, Albu Ghanem, and Sajjariyah Districts on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi, where no more than 200 ISIL militants were estimated to be holding out, and where up to 700 families were still being held hostage by ISIL.[99] Later on the same day, Iraqi forces evacuated another 60 families from the recently recaptured al-Sofiyah District.[100] On January 14, the Iraqi Army recaptured the Sura area and Albu Sawdah District on Ramadi's eastern outskirts, killing at least 10 ISIL militants.[101][102] On the same day, the Iraqi Army evacuated another 800 civilians from the outskirts of eastern Ramadi.[103] On January 15, an Iraqi General stated that his men had moved over 3,000 civilians out of Ramadi during the battle.[104] On January 16, the Iraqi Army recaptured the Albu Khalifa and Albu Mahl Districts, near al-Sofiyah, killing 15 ISIL militants.[105] On January 17, Iraqi forces fully secured the Greater al-Sofiya District,[106] including the Albu Ghanem neighborhood, which was located in the eastern part of the Greater al-Sofiyah District,[31] leaving the nearby Sajjariyah District as the only district that ISIL controlled in Ramadi.[106] 90 ISIL militants were killed in the clashes that took place throughout the al-Sofiyah District within the previous several days.[106] On the same day, another 117+ ISIL militants were killed in the clashes in eastern Ramadi, as Iraqi forces advanced southeastward from al-Sofiyah and northward from Husaiybah, entering the Sajjariyah District from the north and the south.[107] 12 Iraqi soldiers were killed, along with 13 civilians in the Albu Ghanem District, who were trying to flee ISIL forces.[31]

By January 18, over 3,800 civilians had been evacuated from Ramadi by Iraqi forces.[30] On January 20, Iraqi forces began moving eastward to Khalidiya Island, after clearing ISIL-held neighborhoods near the area.[108] On January 21, US Vice President Joe Biden congratulated the Iraqi Security Forces for liberating the city of Ramadi from ISIL control, during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Abadi.[109] On January 22, Iraqi forces destroyed an ISIL tunnel that linked al-Madiq to Husaiybah, east of Ramadi.[110] On the same day, Iraqi forces entered the Sajjariyah District, as well as ISIL-held areas in the Joabah and Husaiybah Districts, to the east of Ramadi. It was also reported that ISIL resistance in those areas had become weak, and that the civilian families trapped there were located far from the site of the clashes.[111] On January 23, ISIL launched suicide attacks in the Kilo 70 area west of Ramadi, and in the Tal Msheheidah east of Ramadi, as well as areas to the north of Ramadi; the ensuing clashes and airstrikes led to the deaths of 62 ISIL militants and 48 Iraqi fighters.[112] On January 24, Iraqi Defense Minister said that the Iraqi Army was preparing for an offensive on Mosul, stating that the Iraqi Army and Coalition forces had defeated ISIL in Ramadi.[113] Later on the same day, 190 people suspected of collaborating with ISIL were arrested in Ramadi,[28] and Anbar police Chief Maj. General Hadi Rezeig announced that the Iraqi Security Forces had managed to fully recapture the city of Ramadi.[9] Around the same time, fighting shifted to the Husaiybah District, to the east of Ramadi.[114] Later on January 24, the Anbar Tribal Force reported that during the past two weeks, 700 ISIL militants had been killed in the clashes in Ramadi. The Anbar Tribal Force also said that it was concerned about the fate of a few hundred civilians in Ramadi, who had gone missing during the battle.[26] On January 26, the Iraqi Army found and destroyed the ISIL headquarters in eastern Ramadi, in the al-Sofiyah District, killing at least six ISIL militants.[115] On the same day, the Iraqi Government uncovered a mass grave in central Ramadi, containing the bodies of 40 civilians.[33]

On January 27, the Iraqi Army repelled an ISIL suicide attack in the al-Sofiyah District, killing the driver of the car bomb.[116] On the same day, more than a dozen suicide bombers launched two attacks north and west of Ramadi, killing 55 Iraqi soldiers and other pro-government fighters, when ISIL attacked the headquarters of the Iraqi Army's 10th Division and an Army barracks. At this point, it was reported that pockets of ISIL resistance remained in Ramadi's eastern Sajjariyah neighborhood.[88] On January 28, ISIL suicide bombers targeted an Iraqi army division headquarters in the al-Thirthar area of Ramadi. Four were killed in Coalition airstrikes, but two attacked the main gate of the headquarters, killing 17 Iraqi soldiers, including seven officers, and wounding 46 soldiers. Separately, 15 Iraqi soldiers were killed, and 20 were wounded elsewhere in the city, in a combination of suicide attacks, sniper fire, and roadside bombs.[117] On the same day, the Iraqi Government announced that 95% of Ramadi city had been liberated, with the Sajjariyah District being the only part of the city that remained under ISIL control. The last ISIL militants near Ramadi were also said to be holed up in an area between Sajjariyah and Husaiybah.[118]

On February 1, the Iraqi Army launched an offensive on the Khalidiya Island area, which is the region located between the villages Albu Nasir and Albu Shajal, situated between Ramadi and Fallujah.[119] On February 2, around 300 ISIL fighters were estimated to be remaining in Ramadi's eastern Sajjariyah District, and in the nearby areas.[120] On February 10, 9 Iraqi soldiers from the army's 8th Division were killed by ISIL shelling, in the Sajjariyah District.[121]

Early on February 4, the Iraqi Army entered the central part of the Sajjariyah District, killing more than 17 ISIL militants.[122] Later on the same day, the Iraqi Army recaptured the Sajjariyah District.[123] The 2015–16 Battle of Ramadi was the first time since the Fall of Mosul in which the Iraqi Army played the primary role in combating ISIL.[124]

Offensive continues into Husaiybah

On February 7, during a security operation in the al-Sofiyah District in eastern Ramadi, a booby-trapped house exploded, killing 6 Iraqi soldiers and wounding 5 others.[125] On the same day, ISIL executed more civilians in the Juwaybah District, to the east of Ramadi, by firing squad.[126]

On February 8, the Iraqi Army recaptured the Juwaybah District, to the east of Ramadi, east of the Sajjariyah District. It was reported that the Iraqi forces killed dozens of ISIL militants and released the civilians that were being held by ISIL in the district.[127] On 9 February, government forces seized the final pocket of ISIL resistance in the Husayba Al-Sharqiyah District, which was the last ISIL-held village to the east of Ramadi, thus fully expelling ISIL from the area of Ramadi.[1][1][2][37][128] Dozens of ISIL militants were killed in the clashes in Husaiybah.[129] The Iraqi Army also began evacuating 1,500 civilians from the Husaiybah Al-Sharqiyah District.[130] Afterwards, the Iraqi Government reopened the Ramadi-Habbaniyah Highway.[2]

Aftermath

On February 2, the Iraqi Army severed the last supply lines between the Khalidiya Island region and the city of Fallujah, completely besieging the city.[131] This led to concerns that an estimated 30,000 civilians trapped in Fallujah would starve, due to the lack of airdropped supplies into the city.[132] On February 4, after Ramadi city was recaptured from ISIL, offensive operations shifted further eastward to the Khalidiya Island area.[133]

On February 9, it was reported that ISIL militants were still holed up in some farmlands in Khalidiya Island, to the north of the town of Al Khalidiya.[37] On February 10, it was reported that the Iraqi Army had fully recaptured the Khalidiya District, including the Khalidiya Island area.[134] On February 13, it was reported that the Iraqi Security Forces had removed 300 IEDs from the area between eastern Ramadi and Khalidiya.[135] On February 14, an Iraqi airstrike killed an ISIL commander in the Kartan area of the Khalidiya District, along with 14 other ISIL militants.[136] Later on the same day, the Iraqi Government reported that the Sedikiyah area in the eastern Khalidiya District was ready for the return of displaced civilians, after IEDs left behind by ISIL in the area had been dismantled.[137]

It was predicted that it would take several months to fully clear Ramadi of the bombs left behind by ISIL; at least 9 months would be needed to clear the Tamim District alone without additional funds. It was also reported that as of thus far, Ramadi had suffered more damage than any other town or city in Iraq.[37]

On February 16, a mass grave containing the bodies of 50 civilians was uncovered in the al-Sofiya District of eastern Ramadi.[34] On the same day, the Iraqi Army launched a clearing operation in the Hamidiyah District, to the northeast of Ramadi's Albu Ghanem District.[138] On February 19, the Iraqi Army completely cleared the Hamidiyah District from ISIL forces, killing dozens of ISIL fighters.[139]

On February 18,[140] a large number of local Sunni tribesmen revolted against ISIL, after ISIL beat a woman, among other restrictive practices enforces by ISIL's Al-Hisbah secret police, amid an ongoing siege. ISIL was reported to have withdrawn into Fallujah city, after local Sunnis burned the Al-Hisbah headquarters and clashes spread.[141][142] On February 20, it was estimated that only 1,000 civilians were living in and around the Ramadi area, after the fierce clashes that erupted during the battle for the city.[143] On February 20, the clashes began to die down as ISIL began carrying out mass arrests, and it was reported that there were still some Sunni fighters who were pinned down in parts of Fallujah, who would likely be massacred if the Iraqi Government or the US-led Coalition does not intervene.[140] On February 21, the US-led Coalition bombed an ISIL gathering in Khalidiya Island, killing 7 ISIL leaders.[144] On the same day, the Iraqi Army began shelling ISIL positions on the outskirts of Fallujah, in support of the Sunni tribal fighters.[145] Late on February 21, ISIL crushed the revolt, and detained 180 men.[146] However, on the same day, the Iraqi Army deployed reinforcements to Fallujah, in preparation to storm the city.[147] On February 23, the Iraqi Army fully recaptured the town of Al-Karmah, after they destroyed ISIL's last stronghold in the town.[148]

On February 27, Anbar Provincial Council announced that 15 members of the Iraqi army and police during the dismantling of improvised explosive devices and booby-trapped houses in Ramadi.[149]

On February 28, Iraqi government forces repelled a massive ISIL suicide attack in Abu Ghraib and western Baghdad, which was the largest attack carried out by the group in the area in nearly 2 years. The assault left 30 ISIL militants and 30 Iraqi soldiers dead.[150]

USA support and future tactics

With 80% of Ramadi left in ruins after months of heavy bombing, as well as scorched earth tactics employed by ISIL, the US and its allies allocated over $50 million to rebuild the city.[3][151][152][153] Due to the offensive's success, the tactics of encirclement and airstrikes used in Ramadi were applied to Fallujah, which was captured by ISIS in January 2014.[154]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Iraqi Army liberates all of Ramadi
  2. 1 2 3 4 Iraq's Ramadi retaken, but rebuilding it a huge task
  3. 1 2 3 WATCH: ISIS Flag Thrown Off Building in Ramadi & Iraq Flag Raised
  4. 1 2 3 Battle for Mosul looms, as ISIS digs in and Iraqis, Coalition mass
  5. ↑ Susanna Capelouto and Hamdi Alkhshali, CNN (December 23, 2015). "Iraqi forces closing in on ISIS in Ramadi - CNN.com". CNN.
  6. ↑ "Roadside bombs slow Iraqi forces' advance on Ramadi".
  7. ↑ Jean-Dominique Merchet, Irak : la participation française à la bataille de Ramadi, l'Opinion, December 30, 2015.
  8. ↑ David Pugliese, Canadian CF-18s supporting Iraqi efforts to retake Ramadi, Ottawa Citizen, December 11, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Iraqi police arrests 190 suspects of links with lSIS in Ramadi
  10. ↑ Isis head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Ramadi to fight Iraqi forces, replaces foreign leaders with locals
  11. 1 2 Abdelhak Mamoun (January 6, 2016). "URGENT: ISIS War Minister killed in aerial bombing in Barwana". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  12. ↑ ISIS new Wali of Anbar killed in aerial bombing west of Ramadi
  13. ↑ Iraqi forces plan to retake Mosul from Daesh after battle for Ramadi is complete
  14. 1 2 "Iraqi army retakes Ramadi from retreating ISIL". Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 25 ISIS senior elements killed in aerial bombardment east of Ramadi
  16. 1 2 Ramadi Is ‘Fully Liberated’
  17. ↑ Celebrating Victory Over ISIS, Iraqi Leader Looks to Next Battles
  18. ↑ Ramadi battle: Shia militias near IS-held Iraqi city
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Iraqi Forces Fighting ISIS for Ramadi Push Toward City Center". The New York Times. December 23, 2015.
  20. 1 2 "ISIL step up suicide attacks after Ramadi setbacks". euronews. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  21. ↑ Iraq forces suffer casualties as they advance in Anbar
  22. ↑ U.S. Accused Of Smuggling 2000 ISIS Fighters Out Of Ramadi
  23. ↑ Iraq army penetrates final ISIS stronghold in Ramadi
  24. ↑ 100 killed & 1,000 wounded (25 November 2015 – 6 January 2016), 12 killed (17 January), 48 killed (24 January), 55 killed (27 January), 31 killed (2–3 February), 28 killed (4 February), 23 killed (6 February), total of 297 reported killed
  25. 1 2 US says airstrikes have killed 350 Isis fighters in western Iraq city Ramadi
  26. 1 2 Iraqi tribal force announces death of 700 ISIS militants in recent clashes in Anbar
  27. ↑ War Media News
  28. 1 2 Anbar police arrests 190 suspects of links with lSIS in Ramadi
  29. 1 2 3 Bombs laid by Islamic State hamper Iraqi troops in Ramadi after victory
  30. 1 2 Ramadi civilians force Iraq to adjust fight against Islamic State
  31. 1 2 3 Iraq civilians killed fleeing ISIL clashes in Ramadi
  32. 1 2 Daesh terrorists kill 40 Iraqi citizens north of Ramadi
  33. 1 2 Iraqi says 40 bodies found in mass grave in Ramadi
  34. 1 2 Mass grave containing 50 bodies discovered in eastern Ramadi
  35. ↑ How ISIS Actually Lost Ramadi
  36. ↑ 38 (Jan. 2–8) + 28 (Jan. 9–15) + 44 (Jan. 16–22) + 40 (Jan. 23–29) + 33 (Jan. 29 – Feb. 5) + 25 (Feb. 6–12) + 20 (Feb. 13–19) = 228+ airstrikes (Jan. 2 – Feb. 19)
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 Iraq's troubled finances slow efforts to rebuild Ramadi
  38. ↑ "Iraq launches offensive to drive Islamic State from biggest province". Reuters. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  39. ↑ Matt Bradley And Ghassan Adnan (July 13, 2015). "Iraq Security Forces Launch Operation to Oust Islamists From Anbar Province". WSJ. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Coalition says Iraqis close to taking Ramadi". USA TODAY. August 11, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Battle of Ramadi (2015–16)". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
  42. ↑ "No end in sight for Iraq fight against ISIS in Ramadi". MilitaryTimes. September 15, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  43. ↑ Loveday Morris (September 6, 2015). "The battle to retake Ramadi is going nowhere". Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Iraq political dissaray slows Ramadi campaign". USA TODAY. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  45. ↑ Reuters Editorial (September 25, 2015). "U.S. urges Iraqi forces to move 'as quickly as possible' to retake Ramadi". Reuters. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Iraqi forces retake areas around Ramadi". Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  47. ↑ "US, Iraqis ready to push ISIS out of Ramadi with air support". October 13, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Coalition Spokesman: Now Time for Push Into Ramadi". VOA. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Iraqi army seizes emergency directorate HQ in Ramadi". Al Bawaba. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  50. 1 2 Iraqis launch offensive to retake Ramadi from ISIS
  51. ↑ News Desk. "Iraqi Forces Cut Last ISIL Supply Line into Ramadi by Retaking Bridge". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  52. ↑ Islamic State Prevents Civilians From Fleeing Iraqi City of Ramadi
  53. 1 2 Control Map of Ramadi, Dec 22, 2015
  54. ↑ "IS conflict: Iraqi forces 'retake key Ramadi district'". BBC News. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  55. ↑ Iraqi military: Iraqi forces retake 60% of Ramadi from ISIS
  56. ↑ US Says Airstrikes Killed 350 Militants in Ramadi in Last Week
  57. ↑ ISIS Destroys Bridge as Iraqi Forces Close in on Ramadi
  58. 1 2 Control Map of Ramadi City Center, Dec 22, 2015
  59. 1 2 3 "Update: air strikes in Iraq and Syria". Ministry of Defence.
  60. ↑ "Iraqi soldiers killed by US coalition friendly fire - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  61. ↑ Iraq military asks residents of ISIS-controlled Ramadi to leave city
  62. ↑ "Iraqi forces 'advance into Islamic State-held Ramadi'". BBC News. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  63. ↑ Iraqi Army Launches Offensive to Retake Ramadi
  64. ↑ "Iraq Sends More Troops to Fight ISIS in Ramadi". New York Times. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  65. 1 2 3 4 "RAF air strikes in Iraq and Syria: December 2015". ministry of defence. 15 January 2016.
  66. ↑ "Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces push deeper into Ramadi". BBC News. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  67. ↑ Iraqi forces capture Ramadi Barrage – 120 families evacuated
  68. ↑ Ahmed Rasheed and Maher Chmaytelli (December 28, 2015). "Iraqi army declares first major victory over Islamic State in Ramadi". Reuters. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Iraq forces in 'full control' of central Ramadi - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  70. ↑ Iraq retakes central Ramadi from Islamic State
  71. ↑ ABC News. "Iraqi Troops Advance in Ramadi, Pockets of IS Remain". ABC News. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  72. ↑ Mic. "In Major Defeat For ISIS, Iraqi Forces Seize Control of Ramadi". Mic. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  73. 1 2 "Islamic State suffers double blow as Ramadi falls, leaders killed". Reuters. December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  74. ↑ Iraq's Abadi plants flag in Ramadi to mark Islamic State defeat
  75. ↑ "Iraqi forces attempt to clear 'IS' pockets out of Ramadi". Deutsche Welle. January 1, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  76. ↑ "3 Iraqi Soldiers Killed And 17 Wounded In ISIS Suicide Attack, Ramadi". National Daily Press. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
  77. ↑ Iraqi army heads towards Fallujah
  78. ↑ The original estimate of the remaining ISIL forces in Ramadi city was 300 , and 300+ ISIL fighters had been killed in Ramadi in late December 2015
  79. ↑ Abdelhak Mamoun (December 31, 2015). "700 ISIS elements exist on the outskirts of Ramadi, says Anbar Council". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  80. 1 2 "Update: air strikes in Iraq and Syria". ministry of defence. 15 January 2016.
  81. ↑ Amre Sarhan (January 3, 2016). "Anbar police announces liberating 80% of Ramadi". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  82. ↑ Amre Sarhan (January 5, 2016). "Ministry of Defense announces liberating Bruwana west of Ramadi". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  83. ↑ Loaa Adel (January 6, 2016). "Aerial bombardment kills 250 ISIS elements, destructs 100 vehicles in Ramadi". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  84. ↑ Abdelhak Mamoun (January 6, 2016). "ISIS detonates large parts of Ramadi General Hospital". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  85. ↑ "'Squad-size' ISIS units remain in Ramadi". MilitaryTimes. January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  86. 1 2 Loaa Adel (January 7, 2016). "Anti-Terrorism forces free Ramadi Hospital, kill 7 suicide bombers". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  87. ↑ Ramadi, Reclaimed by Iraq, Is in Ruins After ISIS Fight
  88. 1 2 ISIL kills dozens of Iraqi soldiers near Ramadi
  89. ↑ Security forces fully liberate al-Mallab in southern Ramadi
  90. ↑ OHCHR: Security forces saved lives of 1,000 people in Ramadi
  91. ↑ Anti-Terrorism forces liberates Andalus and Great Mosque areas in Ramadi
  92. ↑ Security forces liberate Maaref University in eastern Ramadi
  93. 1 2 Iraq forces evacuate hundreds of civilians from Ramadi
  94. ↑ Media officials announce liberation of Anbar security department
  95. ↑ Anti-Terrorism Directorate evacuates 250 civilians from Ramadi
  96. ↑ ISIS burns fighters alive for letting Ramadi fall
  97. 1 2 Security forces regain new ground from IS in Iraq's Ramadi
  98. ↑ Anbar Operations announces liberating Albu Aitha northeast of Ramadi
  99. ↑ 16 ISIS members killed, 700 families besieged east of Ramadi
  100. ↑ Iraqi Security Forces evacuate 60 families besieged by ISIS wast of Ramadi
  101. ↑ Security forces fully liberate Sura area east of Ramadi
  102. ↑ Security forces liberate Albu Sodah, kill 10 ISIS elements east of Ramadi
  103. ↑ Security forces evacuate 800 civilians from Sufiyah and Sajariyah in eastern Ramadi
  104. ↑ Militants' use of human shields in Ramadi slows progress
  105. ↑ Fatlawi: Albu Khalifa and Albu Mahal areas fully liberated
  106. 1 2 3 IRAQI FORCES PUSH DEEPER TO TRY TO LIBERATE ALL OF RAMADI
  107. ↑ 25 + 21 + 40 + 31 = 117 killed on January 17
  108. ↑ Security forces ready to cleanse Khalidiya Island east of Ramadi
  109. ↑ Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi of Iraq
  110. ↑ Security forces destruct ISIS tunnel
  111. ↑ Iraqi army forces advance into Joabah, Sajariyah and Husaiybah areas east of Ramadi
  112. ↑ Over 100 killed in air strikes, clashes with IS militants in Iraq
  113. ↑ Iraqi forces are preparing to launch Mosul offensive, says Obeidi
  114. ↑ 11 ISIS fighters killed, 4 defense sites destroyed east of Ramadi
  115. ↑ Security forces kill 6 ISIS fighters, destruct their headquarters in eastern Ramadi
  116. ↑ Iraqi army foils suicide attack in Sufiyah east of Ramadi
  117. ↑ "New ISIL attacks kill more than 30 Iraqi forces". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
  118. ↑ Anti-Terrorism Bureau announces liberation of 95% of Ramadi
  119. ↑ Loaa Adel (February 1, 2016). "Army forces advance to liberate Albu Shehab & Albu Shagl areas in Khalidiya Island". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news by Iraqi News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  120. ↑ "ISIL suicide bomber kills Iraqi troops near Ramadi". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  121. ↑ Agencies. "ISIL shelling kills more Iraqi soldiers in Ramadi". mwcnews.net. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  122. ↑ Anti-Terrorism forces advance to center of Sijariya, kill 17 ISIS militants
  123. ↑ Anbar Council announces liberating al-Sajariyah area east of Ramadi
  124. ↑ Voices: A heartening victory over the Islamic State.
  125. ↑ "15 Iraqi security members killed in IS bomb attacks in Anbar". DailyTimes. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  126. ↑ ISIS executes civilians including women and children east of Ramadi
  127. ↑ Security forces fully liberate Juwiba, raise Iraqi flag over its buildings
  128. ↑ Iraq army enters last ISIL stronghold in Ramadi
  129. ↑ Security forces liberate Husaibah area, kill dozens of ISIS fighters east of Ramadi
  130. ↑ Anti-Terrorism forces evacuate 1500 civilians from Husaibah
  131. ↑ Amre Sarhan (February 2, 2016). "Security forces cut off ISIS supply routes between Fallujah and Khalediya Island". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news by Iraqi News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  132. ↑ Loveday Morris (February 1, 2016). "Trapped by the Islamic State, Iraqis in Fallujah say they are going hungry, too". Washington Post. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  133. ↑ Abdelhak Mamoun (February 4, 2016). "Joint forces launch massive attack south-east of Mosul". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news by Iraqi News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  134. ↑ Iraqi troops fully recapture Ramadi
  135. ↑ Anbar Operations dismantle 300 IEDs east of Ramadi
  136. ↑ ISIS military commander of Kartan killed in coalition strike east of Ramadi
  137. ↑ Khalidiya Council: Sedikiya area is ready for displaced people return
  138. ↑ Iraq Situation Report: February 12 – 17, 2016
  139. ↑ Anbar Operations announces liberating Hamediyah east of Ramadi
  140. 1 2 Is the Islamic State losing its grip on Fallujah?
  141. ↑ Islamic State faces new trouble in Fallujah as Sunni tribesmen revolt
  142. ↑ ISIS Beating Woman Triggers Fallujah Clashes: Officials
  143. ↑ Iraq: West Must Learn the Bitter Lessons of Ramadi in Mosul
  144. ↑ 7 ISIS leaders killed in coalition bombardment in eastern Ramadi
  145. ↑ Iraqi Tribesmen Continue To Battle IS In Fallujah
  146. ↑ Islamic State Reasserts Control Over Fallujah
  147. ↑ Military reinforcements arrived in Fallujah, security forces prepare to storm the city
  148. ↑ 9 ISIS suicide bombers killed while trying to attack security forces in Karma
  149. ↑ "15 Iraqi security members killed during IEDs dismantling operations in Ramadi". 29 February 2016.
  150. ↑ Islamic State Launches Attacks in Baghdad
  151. ↑ "US, Allies Allocate Over $50Mln to Rebuild Ramadi - Kerry". Sputnik. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  152. ↑ "Isis fighters flee Ramadi as Iraqi forces claim victory". THE FINANCIAL TIMES. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  153. ↑ Iraqi city of Ramadi, once home to 500,000, lies in ruins
  154. ↑ "The successful campaign provides a blueprint for future battles—with Fallujah and Mosul the next to come". The Economist. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.

Coordinates: 33°25′00″N 43°18′00″E / 33.4167°N 43.3000°E / 33.4167; 43.3000

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