95 Killed across Iraq As Security Forces Reach Turkmen Town

At least 95 people were killed and 25 more were wounded. Amerli was liberated with, apparently, no casualties. However, a suicide bomber killed 37 people in Ramadi as militants may have consolidated gains there.

Security forces have reached Amerli, but many of the roads into town remain impassible due to booby-traps. The predominantly Turkmen city had been surrounded by the Islamic State for over two months, but residents were able to mostly keep them out. Several villages in the area were liberated as well. Today, backed by U.S. and Iraqi warplanes, Peshmerga fighters fought alongside Shi’ite militiamen from Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataib Hezbollah and Sadr’s Peace Brigades, among others.

It was believed that about 15,000 residents were in the city; however, more people than expected had found safe passage out. Those left had been in desperate need of supplies, even water. Several nations airdropped humanitarian aid yesterday.

In Ramadi, a suicide bomber using a military Humvee to disguise his purpose killed 22 military personnel and 15 civilians; the number of wounded was not given. A number of people were killed in clashes. The militants held a parade, declaring a section of Ramadi to be part of the state.

In Falluja, three civilians were killed and 13 more were killed during a mortar attack. Airstrikes killed eleven militants.

Mortar fire in Iskandariya killed a volunteer fighter and wounded two more.

A roadside bomb near the Diyala River killed a Peshmerga fighter and wounded four more.

In Baghdad, a bomb wounded a civilian. Another killed a soldier and wounded five more.

In Zumer, 26 militants were killed in U.S. airstrikes.

An airstrike killed seven militants in Duluiya. Tribal fighters killed four more.

Three militants were killed in Jurf al-Sakhar. A militant leader and several aides were killed in clashes.

A militant leader was killed near Suleiman Beg, and a number of militants were captured. His assistant was also killed. Some districts were cleared of miliants.

Unknown numbers of militants were killed in Thar Thar, Taji, Sabaa al-Bour, and Fadhiliya.

In Tikrit, there was heavy fighting.

Author: Margaret Griffis

Margaret Griffis is a journalist from Miami Beach, Florida and has been covering Iraqi casualties for Antiwar.com since 2006.