ISIS using human shields to escape from major Iraqi army offensive

An estimated 100 jihadis are surrounded by Iraqi troops who are being supported by US airstrikes, who are targeting the remaining ISIS strong points. 

ISIS captured the city, which is about 60 miles from Baghdad, in May. The defeat was a major propaganda victory for the terrorists. 

According to an army lieutenant-colonel who spoke to AFP: 'The Iraqi forces are in Hoz neighbourhood... about 500 metres away from the governmental complex.'

Sabah Karhout of the Anbar provincial council said ISIS had prepared a strong defence with improvised explosive devices and were using human shields. 

Karhout claimed the Iraqi army's advance had to be 'cautious'. 

Colonel Steve Warren, the US-led coalition's spokesman said: 'There's stiff resistance, there's been fierce fighting over the last 24 hours in the southern part of Ramadi city. 

'They've established a strong defence using improvised explosive devices as mine fields, booby traps, rigging entire houses to explode.'

Warren said intelligence reports suggested there were 100 fighters holed up in the government building. 

He said: 'Because of the restrictive nature of the terrain, it's difficult to mass combat power. It's easy for a small number of people to hold a large number of people off.' 

One Iraqi soldier has been killed and 22 have been injured during the assault on the complex according to the Iraqi army

ISIS claimed the casualty figure was far greater following a 'suicide commando' attack on a police station. 

This was disputed by the Iraqi army who said they engaged the terrorists and killed them before they could reach their targets, only injuring three officers.  

Ibrahim al-Osej, a Ramadi councillor, said the number of ISIS fighters left in Ramadi was estimated to be 'smaller than a battalion', or fewer than 400.

Several dozen families have been able to escape from the city as the fighting intensifies. 

Saad al-Dulaimi, 47, made to an army camp in Habbaniya, east of Ramadi, with his family. He said terrorists are trying to flee using civilian convoys as cover. 

Iraqi security forces are trying to screen everyone leaving the city. 

Mr al-Dulaimi admitted the humanitarian situation inside Ramadi was worsening. 

He said: 'The situation in town was very difficult because there's no food left in the shops. We were living off dates and whatever food was left in our homes.'

Mr al-Dulaimi said there were still dozens of families trapped in the conflict zone, unwilling or unable to flee their homes. 

Coalition aircraft have pounded 50 ISIS targets on Wednesday alone according to Colonel Warren. 

The Iraqi army has spent several months preparing for the operation. 

Ramadi, in Anbar province was a major ISIS stronghold which borders Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. 

As part of the operation, the Iraqi army has tried to strangle ISIS supply lines, cutting off reinforcements.

Meanwhile in Syria, ISIS has suffered major setbacks with Syrian Kurdish, Arab and Christian groups, supported by the US-led coalition, capturing several areas in the north of the country. 

In Damascus, government air raids have killed 20 people, including women and children according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 

(dailymail.co.uk)