OCHA Flash Update Iraq Crisis – Ramadi Displacement No.1 | 17 May2015

Situation

1. On 15 May ISIL entered Ramadi City through the use of multiple explosive devices carried in vehicles, including heavy vehicles carrying up to 6 tons of explosive. A curfew has been imposed resulting in civilians not being able to reach safety. Some buildings in the government compound have been damaged using explosive devices. Anbar Council reported that up to 40 Iraqi police may have been killed when a truck was detonated outside the Palace of Justice.

2. ON 16 May it was reported that the ISIL flag was seen on the Government compound building and that the Ramadi General Hospital was under ISIL control. On 17 May open source media reports suggest that the Government compound has been retaken by ISF and many ISIL fighters were killed in the operation.

3. There are reports, through Anbar Council, of up to 500 Ramadi citizens having been killed. Latest reports indicate several car bombs in South Ramadi with multiple casualties.

4. Unconfirmed reports noted that a number of Iraqi police and Anbar tribesmen were surrounded in the Malaab (literally ‘Soccer Field’ – a residential area in Ramadi), exits were blocked and it was feared that they could be executed. Media has reported ISIL is now attacking both the Malaab and the Grand Mosque.

5. Heavy fighting is also reported in the areas of Fallujah and al Karmah.

6. As of 17 May JCMC reports some 2000 families from Ramadi Centre reaching Amiriyat al Fallujah and Khaldiyah. Humanitarian partners have reported that access for new IDPs to Habbaniyah has been very limited 7. The Displacement Tracking Matrix has currently assessed 6,591 families, 3389 of whom have fled to Fallujah District to al Amiryat al Fallujah and Saqlawiyah, while 2389 families are now in al Khaldiyah District, namely in Khaldiyah and in Habbaniyah.

7. Access for many fleeing the fighting has been blocked at Bzbiz Bridge where families have not been allowed to cross to Baghdad Governorate, however high level intervention has resulted in access for casualties and for some of the most vulnerable. Many families who have been turned away have reportedly gone in the direction of Heet.

8. Khaldiyah Hospital has been receiving many casualties with 160 reported as of 09.00 on 17 May, while the Primary Health Centre in Amiriyat al Fallujah reported over 500 consultations on 16 May with many referred to hospitals.

9. Local authorities have been requesting assistance from the international community, both directly and through the offices of the JCMC.

10. Anbari citizens protested in Baghdad today about the authorities’ lack of responsiveness to the need for reinforcements.