Battle of Ramadi (2014)

The Battle of Ramadi in 2014 is part of an ISIS offensive to capture all of the Anbar Province. Ramadi is one the last of the Iraqi government's strongholds in Anbar, after its success in a previous campaign. Although the Islamic State managed to capture much of the city; parts of it remain in the control of the government and its allies.

Background
Ramadi is a the capital of the Anbar Province, and it is one the biggest cities. It was partially conquered by ISIS and its allies when fighting erupted in the Anbar Province. Following a counter-attack by government forces, they recaptured most of it by February, and all of it by March. The claim was repeated again in May, in which the Anbar Police Chief said that "most" of the city was under there control.

However, ISIS returned, and reportedly had a presence in Ramadi by October. On October 16, Wilayat Anbar, ISIS's military wing in the Anbar Province, published a series of photos showing its presence in Ramadi. It was said that ISIS was in control of 60% of Ramadi, and much of its southern districts and area west and north of the city are contested or held by ISIS.

Battle
The attack on Ramadi began after ISIS attacked the city from the east and from the west. They captured the village of Al Shujairiya, and fired at government buildings in the central part of the city. ISIS militants also pounded the city center with mortars, and used car bombs to try to weaken government forces in the area. Security forces and Tribal fighters launched a counter-attack, and stopped from from advancing from ISIS-held parts of the city. 20 soldiers died as a result, and Government fighters called for reinforcements, and clashes continued in the city.

The next day, government fighters launched an operation to retake lost ground. The operation focused on recapturing the Sijariya neighborhood seized on Friday. One government official said that heavy fighting was continuing in the city, with both sides firing Mortars at each other.

Also, during a government counter-offensive, they discovered 25 dead men of the Albu Fahd tribe. They were killed in by ISIS, and the bodies were found on the eastern edge of Ramadi. A tribal leader Sheikh Rafie al-Fahdawi said that there were possibly more than 25. The Ramadi-Habbaniya road is under ISIS control, but government forces helped by tribal fighters are battling with tanks to secure the area.

Heavy fighting continued on November 23. Fierce battles took place between Government forces and ISIS near the main government complex, which hosts the regional government and security headquarters. The battles are taking place about 1,000 feet away from the government complex. About 37 people were reported dead in the fighting, according to local authorities.

On November 24, ISIS was reportedly 150 km away from the city center, and government forces were reinforced with weapons from 5 planes that arrived in government-held areas of Ramadi. The heaviest fighting so far was taking place in downtown Ramadi, were the government complex is still held by Iraqi forces. ISIS seized the houses of Dulaimi tribe leaders, and used them as attack bases. One government official said ISIS had a presence "in the centre of Ramadi from the eastern side and have taken control of the al-Mu'allimin district and the Haouz area in the centre." Despite reported setbacks, Iraqi forces said the momentum was shifting in the favor of government forces. Iraqi forces, with the help the coalition airstrikes, managed to push back ISIS fighters in the city and take back a key military supply line. However, clashes continued in the eastern suburbs.

On November 25, Wilayat Anbar published a series of photos that showed fighting in Ramadi. Some showed that ISIS captured M113 armored personnel carriers, and used them to attack Iraqi forces and tribal fighters.

On November 26, Iraqi forces said they repelled an Islamic State offensive on the government complex, and also said that ISIS suffered heavy losses. Iraqi forces, supported by tribal fighters and airstrikes, repelled other attacks as well. Setbacks were also reported for government forces, because the night before ISIS seized the Education Directorate and were less than 20 meters away from the complex. The Anbar Provincal Council made a made a statement saying the city could fall to ISIS within the next 24 hours. Col. Hamid Shandukh said that government forces were defending the compound, and the Governor of the Anbar Province said that If we lose Anbar, that means we will lose Iraq. I will very soon be with the tribes and the security forces in Anbar to fight".

Heavy fighting continued on November 29, mainly in the al-Hoz, Muallimin and Bakr districts. A police major said that clashes had been going on for hours, and tribal leaders said they retook entrances that led to the al-Hoz district. They also said that if military airstrikes continued, then they may able to take complete control of Ramadi.

On December 2, Iraqi Security forces continued to repel attacks by the Islamic State on Ramadi. The attacks began when ISIS fighters tried to storm the city from three fronts, but tribal fighters in the northwestern Abu Risha fought back and repelled the assault. The clashes killed 10 ISIS militants, and 2 Iraqi soldiers were killed. Iraqi forces had prevented ISIS from reaching the government complex, as a result of airstrikes and increased security. However, Iraqi officials said that coalition airstrikes around the city had stopped. Despite that, the US said they hit an ISIS column near Ramadi, destroying a vehicle and a tactical unit.

Military Efforts
On November 23, the Pentagon said it would plan to arm Iraqi tribesman fighting ISIS. Such equipment includes AK-47 assault rifles, rocket propelled grenades, and mortar rounds. The plan in total costs 24 million dollars, and is part of broader plan to arm Kurdish fighters as well. The same day, the Iraqi PM ordered more air support and weapons to tribal fighters combating ISIS.