Members of Iraq’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service have made their way closer to the government center in Ramadi, clearing much of the Houz neighborhood. The recapture of the complex should give security forces a much-need morale boost. Advances were also made in the Albu Faraj district. On Saturday, fighting left at least two security personnel dead and nine wounded. Twenty militants were killed in clashes. Islamic State militants said they had executed seven militants for refusing to wear explosives belts.
On Friday, Anbar Provincial Council member Athal Fahdawi estimated 80 percent of Ramadi has been destroyed by the occupation of the Islamic State militants and the battles to remove them.
Security forces are reporting the apparent withdrawal of militants from areas around Falluja.
At least 77 were killed and XX were wounded including those casualties in Ramadi:
In Mosul, militants executed eight Sunni tribal leaders. Nineteen civilians were executed at a base. Airstrikes killed a notorious Sharia judge and several executioners.
Kurdish forces conducted a raid on a militant hideout in Riyadh, in which about a dozen militants were killed. The raid may have been to rescue Kurdish security personnel.
Eight militants were killed near Ba’Shiqah.
