Delay in Civilians’ Return To Ramadi Due to ISIS

Iraqi refugees are being held up in Ramadi despite the government officials claiming victory over the militants.

Image used for representational purposes. (Photo: iStockPhoto)

About 700 ISIS fighters were believed to be hiding in the centre and eastern outskirts of Ramadi on Wednesday. This is three days after Iraqi government forces claimed victory over the militants in the western city, the US-led coalition said.

The UN refugee agency, assisting families who have left the Anbar provincial capital, said that despite gains by security forces, conditions were not yet good enough for tens of thousands of displaced residents to return.

Much of the centre of Ramadi, which previously had a population exceeding 400,000, still needs to be cleared of explosives laid by the jihadi insurgents who seized the city 100 km (60 miles) west of Baghdad in May, the coalition said.

After months of cautious advances backed by coalition air strikes, the Iraqi army retook Ramadi on Sunday. This is the army’s first big victory against the hardline Sunni Islamists since they swept through a third of Iraq in mid-2014.

<p> Within what we call central Ramadi, they estimate that there are still up to 400 Daesh (Islamic State) members, and then, once you go east of that towards Falluja, you’ve got about 300 out there in that direction. </p>

<p><b>US Army Captain Chance McCraw, Coalition Intelligence Officer</b></p>

Some of these Islamic State militants could try to attack Iraqi forces or return as civilians with snipers and bomb attacks.

Security sources said insurgents clashed with federal police and tribal fighters on Wednesday in Husaiba al-Sharqiya and Jweba, on the eastern fringes of Ramadi. There was no immediate confirmed information on casualties.

<p> In central Ramadi the house-borne IED (improvised explosive device) continues to be a threat even once CTS (counter-terrorism service) goes through and that’s why you don’t see civilians moving back into various areas.</p>

<p><b>Captain Chance McCraw</b></p>

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Wednesday ordered the immediate formation of a high-level committee. This includes the Anbar governor and senior federal government officials whose job will be to stabilize and rebuild Ramadi.

He called for the immediate removal of explosives and the restoration of basic services to allow the safe return of civilians to their homes.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke to Abadi on Wednesday and offered UN support to help restore basic services in Ramadi. The hope is that the restoration of services will allow civilians to return, a UN spokesman said in a statement.

The United Nations estimates initial reconstruction needs in Ramadi require about $20 million.

The longer term outlay however, is likely to be much greater for a city battered by U.S. air strikes and Islamic State explosives over the past six months.

<p> Areas are still insecure, littered with IEDs, and there has been extensive damage of public buildings and houses. Electricity and water services have been damaged.</p>

<p><b> UN refugee agency UNHCR</b></p>

The Iraqi trade ministry said it was preparing to send emergency food aid to Ramadi.