ISIS gets 'closer' to the centre of Ramadi city, Anbar province

Five planes loaded with support for security forces and tribes fighting ISIS, including weapons, have arrived in the city of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar province.

Sabah Karhot, the Board Chairman of Anbar said in an interview with Anadolu Agency: “The central government brought five planes loaded with medium and heavy weapons to Habbaniyah military base, 30 kilometres east of Ramadi.”

Karhot added the weapons will be distributed on Monday, with particular focus on the city of Ramadi. Most of the Sunni-dominated province and some parts of Ramadi have been under the control of ISIS.

In earlier statements made to Anadolu Agency on Sunday, Karhot demanded that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi send military reinforcements to Anbar to: “protect the government buildings, civilians, and families who are filled with consternation and fear due to ISIS terrorism”.

Earlier on Sunday a security source told Anadolu Agency that the heaviest fighting is taking place near the government compound in downtown Ramadi. According to the source, ISIS had advanced, reaching a mere 150 meters from the compound.

Elements of ISIS seized the homes of the Dulaimi tribe leaders, 250 meters south of the government compound, using them as bases to launch their attacks, the source added.

Kaream El- Karbouli, a member of the security committee in the Anbar Provincial Council informed Anadolu Agency that ISIS have spread “in the centre of Ramadi from the eastern side and have taken control of al- Mu’allimin district and the Haouz area in the centre.”

He said the Iraqi air force is targeting ISIS sites around the compound.

ISIS already controls most of Anbar, so Ramadi is highly strategic. ISIS took control of the western districts of the province, in addition to its control of the eastern regions, including Falluja and Korma, as well as parts of the city of Ramadi.

A Western-Arab coalition, led by the United States, is launching air strikes on ISIS sites.