Iraq Army asks citizens in ISIS-held Ramadi to leave

A file pictures shows Iraqi pro-government tribal forces holding a position east of Ramadi and west of Baghdad.— AFP

Iraqi military planes dropped leaflets on Sunday on Ramadi, asking residents to leave within 72 hours the western city which is under the control of Islamic State (ISIS) militants, state TV reported, citing a military statement.

It gave no further details but an Army officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “It is an indication that a major military operation to retake the city center will start soon.”

Last week Iraqi security forces said they had made advances on two fronts in Ramadi, clearing ISIS militants from a key military command base and the sprawling neighbourhood of al-Taamim on the western rim of the city.

Iraqi intelligence estimates the number of Islamic State fighters that are entrenched in the centre of Ramadi at 250 to 300.