Battle of Ramadi (2015–2016)
| Battle of Ramadi (2015-Present) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Iraqi Civil War (2014–present) | |||||||||
 Ramadi in 2008 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
 Islamic State | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
 Lt. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi | Unknown | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 10,000 | 600–1,000[4][5] | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Dozens killed, 109 wounded[6][7] | 300–400 killed[4][8] | ||||||||
The Battle of Ramadi is an offensive 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. The United States is aiding Iraq with airstrikes.
Background
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2015) |
On October 7, Iraqi forces renewed their operations against Ramadi, capturing several areas in north and west, including the main road west of Ramadi.[9] By October 13, Iraqi troops had advanced 15 kilometers and encircled the city according to US officials.[10][11] Further Iraqi military reinforcements including artillery batteries and tanks arrived in the nearby town of Khaldiyah on November 10, in preparation for another assault on Ramadi.[12] Iraqi forces recaptured the emergency directorate headquarters in Ramadi on November 14.[13]
On November 27, Iraqi forces reportedly cut ISIL's last supply line into the city of Ramadi by seizing a key bridge.[14]
Battle
On December 8, the offensive to capture the city was launched[4] and Iraqi forces captured Tamin, a key district in the south-western area of Ramadi. 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, IS militants "had no choice except to surrender or fight" and that they were "completely destroyed".[15]
On December 15, two RAF Typhoon FGR4s supported the Iraqi army in its operations around Ramadi, and struck a Daesh encampment with two Paveway IVs.[16]
On December 16, RAF Tornados assisted the Iraqi troops battling Daesh on the outskirts of Ramadi, and used Paveway IVs to destroy heavy machine-gun positions, a sniper team and a group of terrorist fighters. 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.[16]
On December 22, Iraqi forces advanced into the centre of the city of Ramadi and were heading towards the main government complex.[17] two pairs of RAF Tornados and an RAF Reaper, provided the Iraqis with continuous close air support alongside other coalition aircraft. When the Daesh 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.[16] 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.[18] By December 25, Iraqi and allied tribal forces had managed to enter the Haouz area and also were about 500 m away from the main government complex.[19]
On December 27, the Iraqi Army captured the government complex, after which they declared victory in Ramadi[20] and claimed to be in full control of the city center. ISIL militants were reported to had fled north-east. However, fighting was still reported south-west of the government complex[21] as pockets of ISIL resistance remained. The following day, it was confirmed ISIL was still in control of 30 percent of the city.[3]
On Dec. 30, the prime minister of Iraq visited Ramadi and raised the Iraqi flag on the government complex. The city at this point was declared liberated, but hidden IED's remained. ISIS casualties were reportedly high, and Iraqi ones low.[22]
Aftermath
With much of Ramadi left in ruins after months of heavy bombing, the US and its allies allocated over $50 million to rebuild the city.[23][24] Due to the offensive's success, the tactics of encirclement and air strikes used in Ramadi were applied to Fallujah, which was captured by ISIS in early 2014.[25]
References
- ^ Susanna Capelouto and Hamdi Alkhshali, CNN (23 December 2015). "Iraqi forces closing in on ISIS in Ramadi - CNN.com". CNN.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ "Roadside bombs slow Iraqi forces' advance on Ramadi".
- ^ a b Iraqi Troops Advance in Ramadi, Pockets of IS Remain
- ^ a b c "Iraqi Forces Fighting ISIS for Ramadi Push Toward City Center". The New York Times. 23 December 2015.
- ^ Ghassan Adnan in Baghdad and Matt Bradley in Beirut (23 December 2015). "Iraqi Army Makes New Push to Retake City of Ramadi From Islamic State". WSJ.
- ^ "Roadside bombs slow Iraqi forces' advance on Ramadi".
- ^ Fall of Ramadi flashpoint hands Iraq forces landmark victory
- ^ In Major Defeat For ISIS, Iraqi Forces Seize Control of Ramadi
- ^ "Iraqi forces retake areas around Ramadi". Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "US, Iraqis ready to push ISIS out of Ramadi with air support". 13 October 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "Coalition Spokesman: Now Time for Push Into Ramadi". VOA. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "Assault on Ramadi looms as dozens are killed across Iraq - UPI.com". UPI. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "Iraqi army seizes emergency directorate HQ in Ramadi". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ News Desk. "Iraqi Forces Cut Last ISIL Supply Line into Ramadi by Retaking Bridge". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "IS conflict: Iraqi forces 'retake key Ramadi district'". BBC News. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ a b c "Update: air strikes in Iraq and Syria". Ministry of Defence.
- ^ "Iraqi forces 'advance into Islamic State-held Ramadi'". BBC News. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "Iraq Sends More Troops to Fight ISIS in Ramadi". New York Times. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ "Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces push deeper into Ramadi". BBC News. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
- ^ Iraqi army declares first major victory over Islamic State in Ramadi
- ^ "Iraq forces in 'full control' of central Ramadi - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
- ^ "Islamic State suffers double blow as Ramadi falls, leaders killed". Reuters. 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ^ "US, Allies Allocate Over $50Mln to Rebuild Ramadi - Kerry". Sputnik. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "Isis fighters flee Ramadi as Iraqi forces claim victory". THE FINANCIAL TIMES. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "The successful campaign provides a blueprint for future battles—with Fallujah and Mosul the next to come". The Economist. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.