Increase in Iraqi Army Casualties in the 'Liberation' Operation of Ramadi

On the second day of the 'liberation' operation of Ramadi, the center of Anbar province, Iraqi army forces suffered more casualties due to the occupation by militants from the 'Islamic State' group. This comes as the international coalition led by the United States acknowledged that the 'liberation' of Ramadi is long and difficult due to the residential nature of the city and concerns about ambushes by 'Islamic State' militants. According to Iraqi television Al-Sumaria, at least 16 members of the Iraqi army and counter-terrorism units were killed and 12 others wounded in a suicide attack by a car bomb targeting a joint convoy of the army and counter-terrorism units in the Al-Jarayshi area on the road leading to Al-Bu Diyab area north of Ramadi. The report adds that after this explosion, 'Islamic State' militants engaged with Iraqi forces, forcing them to retreat to the 'Al-Maamil' area in northeast Ramadi. During the ongoing operations in Ramadi, Iraqi forces dropped leaflets from the air urging civilian residents to stay away from conflict areas. Al Jazeera news network also reported that 13 members of Iraq's security forces were killed in a suicide attack by a car bomb in the 'Al-Aramel' neighborhood south of Ramadi. Additionally, Iraqi army sources stated that at least eight Iraqi soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing in the Al-Bu Hayhan area east of Haditha in Anbar province. The 'Islamic State' group has captured the eastern part of the city while the Iraqi army controls the western part. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces are continuing their operations to regain control of Ramadi from 'Islamic State' militants, successfully retaking some areas of the city and killing several militants. According to Iraqi state television, Ismail Al-Mahlawi, the commander of operations in Anbar province, stated that Iraqi forces continue to advance towards the city center, specifically targeting government centers. He added that 'Islamic State' militants are resisting, but airstrikes by the Iraqi army and the international coalition have made this resistance less intense. Previously, Sabah Naaman, spokesperson for the Iraqi counter-terrorism unit, had predicted that the operation to retake Ramadi would take 72 hours. The international coalition led by the United States states that the 'liberation' operation of Ramadi is challenging. Steve Warren, spokesperson for the international coalition, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that predicting the time required for the 'liberation' of the city is difficult. He added that 'Islamic State' militants have been present in the city for months and during this time have set up ambushes, planted mines, and conducted other military activities that have increased the obstacles in the path of advancing Iraqi forces. The spokesperson for the international coalition mentioned that Iraqi forces succeeded in crossing the Euphrates River and entering the neighborhoods of central Ramadi by creating a type of mobile bridges. He stated that coalition forces have bombed 'Islamic State' positions 33 times in support of Iraqi forces. On the other hand, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense stated that Western fighter jets are supporting the military operations of Iraqi forces to retake Ramadi from 'Islamic State' militants. In this context, Iraqi forces are advancing towards the center of Ramadi, and the Iraqi army has asked the residents of Ramadi to leave the city.