Iraq delays Fallujah assault as 29 killed in Ramadi

RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi troops will delay assaulting the militant-held city of Fallujah, an officer said Tuesday, January 7, citing fear of civilian casualties, as fighting and missile strikes in nearby Ramadi killed 29 people.

Parts of Ramadi – the capital of Anbar province, west of Baghdad – and all of Fallujah have been outside government control since last week.

It is the first time militants have exercised such open control in major cities since the height of the insurgency that followed the 2003 US-led invasion.

“It is not possible to assault (Fallujah) now” over concerns about civilian casualties, defense ministry spokesman Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Askari told AFP.

Attacking the Sunni-majority city would also be extremely politically sensitive, as it would inflame already high tensions between the Sunni Arab minority and the Shiite-led government.

It would also be a major test for Iraqi security forces, which have yet to undertake such a major operation without the backing of American troops.

Overnight, security forces and allied tribesmen sought to retake south Ramadi from fighters loyal to Al-Qaeda-linked group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but the assault failed.

“Security forces and armed tribesmen tried last night to enter areas controlled by ISIL fighters in the south of the city,” a police captain told AFP.

“Clashes between the two sides began about 11 pm (2000 GMT) last night and continued until 6 am,” he said, adding that “security forces were not able to enter these areas and ISIL fighters are still in control.”

Four civilians were killed and 14 wounded, said Ramadi hospital’s Dr Ahmed Abdul Salam, who had no casualty figures for security forces or militants.

Later Tuesday, missile strikes in Ramadi killed 25 militants, Askari said.

Three loud explosions were heard outside Fallujah early Tuesday, a witness said, as the army deployed reinforcements.

“Today, the army sent new reinforcements, including tanks and vehicles, to an area about 15 kilometres (10 miles) east of Fallujah,” a police captain told AFP.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has called on residents to expel ISIL to stave off a military offensive.

But senior tribal leader Sheikh Ali al-Hammad told AFP Monday ISIL had left Fallujah, and that it was now held by tribesmen. – Rappler.com