Iraqi Forces Repel Islamic State Attack on City West of Baghdad

Reports indicate that following the capture of the city of 'Ramadi' by Islamic State forces, the group has fortified its defensive positions in the city. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces, along with Sunni tribes, repelled a nighttime assault by the Islamic State group on the city of Khalidiya, west of Baghdad. According to the Associated Press, the capture of Ramadi, which has a population of about 850,000, marks the most significant victory for the Islamic State since the start of Iraq's defensive operations and the bombing of the group's positions by coalition aircraft led by the United States. Additionally, Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, announced on Tuesday, May 19, that the government would arm the Sunni tribes of Anbar province. This move by the Iraqi government is aimed at garnering support from Sunni tribes ahead of operations to liberate Ramadi. According to reports, Rafi al-Fahdawi, a local sheikh, stated that Islamic State forces launched an offensive on Monday night to capture the city of 'Khalidiya', which lies between 'Fallujah' and 'Ramadi'. He noted that Islamic State forces initially managed to seize a village near Khalidiya but were unable to enter the city due to the defense mounted by government forces. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has deployed Shiite militia forces, 'Hashd al-Shaabi', for operations against Islamic State positions near Ramadi. These forces played a crucial role in liberating Tikrit from Islamic State control. However, according to Reuters, Sunni tribes are concerned about the actions of Shiite militias against Sunnis. Nevertheless, Haider al-Abadi called for the unity of the Iraqi people to confront the Islamic State group. The Prime Minister stated that the Islamic State cannot maintain control over the areas it has captured due to the resistance and bravery of the Iraqis. Natasha Andrewhill, an international relations professor at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, warned that if Anbar province falls to the Islamic State, there would be no guarantee of stability and integrity for Iraq, and if Iraq falls to this group, the entire region would face collapse. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Islamic State forces are consolidating their defensive positions in Ramadi. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that Islamic State forces have not only erected barriers in the streets but have also laid mines in certain areas of Ramadi. Reports also indicate that Islamic State forces have freed at least 100 prisoners from the Ramadi prison. Sayyid Hamid al-Dawami, a teacher residing in Ramadi, told Reuters that Islamic State forces used loudspeakers in the streets to call on the families of prisoners to come to a mosque in the city to retrieve their relatives. Meanwhile, the United States announced on Monday that Washington, along with its allies in the international coalition, would assist the Iraqi government in reclaiming Ramadi from the Islamic State.