As Iraq continues to mass troops and tribal allies around eastern Anbar Province, focusing on the capital city of Ramadi which they have repeatedly predicted they will soon retake, ISIS continues to launch attacks on those troops, keeping them largely on the defensive.
Multiple battles were reported today, according to officials, killing at least 17 Iraqi forces, including 11 soldiers, four tribal fighters, and two police. 18 were wounded. There is no indication of casualties among the ISIS forces who launched the attacks.
One of the attacks took place just outside of Ramadi, where the troops and tribal forces were massing, while another attack took place near the Habbaniyah military base, where US ground troops have been deployed in an “advisory” role. US troops were not present at the attack.
Ramadi is a city of some 500,000 people, and despite the Pentagon downplaying the loss has been seen as a major blow to Iraq’s anti-ISIS war effort. The Iraqi government continues to predict an imminent recapture, though they have repeatedly failed to do so.