On Tuesday, Shi’ite militiamen announced the launching of an operation to liberate Ramadi. They are calling it “Operation Labayk ya Hussein” (“At your service, O Hussein”) after a Shi’ite imam who was the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson. Hussein was killed in the battle that led to a schism between Shi’ites and Sunnis. The United States called the codename overly sectarian and unhelpful for maneuvers deep inside the Sunni heartland.
The United Nations articulated its unease for civilian refugees being stopped at checkpoints, then being forced back into the battle zone.
A Special Forces regiment has arrived at Baiji to attempt to retake the refinery. It is unclear if these troops were among those accused of abandoning their posts in Ramadi.
At least 223 were killed and two were wounded:
Militants immolated an 80-year-old Christian woman in Nimrud for not following strict militant law.
Gunmen in Mualimeen killed a government employee.
A former army brigadier and his companion were shot dead on a highway between Khalis and Kirkuk.
Two injured soldiers were airlifted out of Kasarat.
At least 70 militants were killed during continuing operations in the Samarra area.
Coalition strikes in the Sinjar area left 24 militants dead.
Another 24 militants were killed in Tel Sheikh Saadoun.
Twenty militants were killed in the Hit region.
In Mosul, 21 militants were killed, including one of their commanders.
Shelling in Ishaqi left 18 militants death.
In Garma, a militant leader and five deputies were killed. Mortars killed 13 militants.
A missile strike left nine militants dead in Falluja.
Seven snipers were killed in al-Kisk.
A militant war minister was killed during a strike in Salah ad Din province. Security forces killed five militants.
In Husaybah al-Sharqiya, a sniper was killed.
