Iraqi army asks Ramadi residents to evacuate

The Iraqi army yesterday dropped leaflets over the city of Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar, a stronghold of Daesh, calling on residents to leave the town within 72 hours.

State TV reported on the distribution of the leaflets, citing a military statement.

The Iraqi army, supported by coalition air forces, are due to launch a sweeping attack to retake control of the city from Daesh’s grip.

Iraq’s Defence Minister Khalid Al-Obeidi said on Facebook that “only $600 million has been allocated to arm the Iraqi army in 2015, after spending tens of billions of dollars in previous years.”