Iraq’s High Commission for Human Rights has warned that the Islamic State militants are barring residents from leaving Falluja ahead of expected fighting. However, several families have escaped. Clearly, they intend to use the remaining people as human shields. Many buildings have been booby-trapped as well. Meanwhile, a provincial official claims that morale is broken in Falluja, and many militants are also fleeing the city.
Security forces are advancing towards Ramadi.
Several places in Anbar province have been liberated, so far, during the operation launched on Monday. Among them are Albu Knafar, Husayba, Ma’amil, Malab, Suleiman, and Tash 2.
At least 180 were killed and 16 were wounded:
A bomb killed five people outside a doctor’s office in Khalis. At least 16 others were wounded.
Authorities said that 158 militants were killed during operation in western Anbar.
Sixteen militants were killed in northwest Baghdad. In the Khadraa neighborhood, a civilian was gunned down.
A large number of militants were killed in Garma.
