Iraq Asks Ramadi Residents to Leave City within 72 Hours

The Iraqi army has asked the residents of Ramadi to leave the western city within 72 hours as it is preparing to launch a major offensive to liberate the area from the grip of the Daesh terrorists, according to a report by Iraq’s state TV.

It gave no further details but an army officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters, "It is an indication that a major military operation to retake the city center will start soon."

Earlier this month, forces led by Iraq's elite counterterrorism service retook Tamim, a southwestern neighborhood of Ramadi from the ISIL terrorist group.

The offensive in Tamim this month marked a significant step in long-delayed efforts to recapture the city, around 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Baghdad and capital of the vast province of Anbar.

The terrorists still holed up in the city center and using tunnels to avoid airstrikes may number no more than 300, according to military officials.

Ramadi, which has been under the control of Daesh since earlier this year, is already surrounded by the pro-government forces with reports suggesting that the terrorists have no more supply line for reinforcement.

Daesh began its offensive in Iraq in June 2014. Pro-government forces have managed to push back the militants from some of their major bastions, including the cities of Tikrit and Baiji in the northern province of Salahuddin.