ANBAR, Iraq – Ramadi in western Iraq is under sporadic attack by the Islamic State (ISIS), which has assembled a large force outside the city for an all-out assault, an Iraqi lawmaker has warned.
Faris Taha Muhammad, an MP from the al-Wafa bloc, said that an ISIS attack on the governor’s building on Monday afternoon, which provoked a fierce fight with tribal vigilantes, has fueled public fears of an ISIS overrun.
“The ISIS militants launched a fierce attack on the governorate building and sporadic clashes still continue as the security forces and the tribal force are repelling the attack,” said Muhammad, an MP representing the Sunni province.
He said that the frequent attacks by ISIS fighters appeared aimed at draining the security and tribal forces. Muhammad warned that the local tribal forces are running low on weapons and ammunition and urged the Iraqi government to send reinforcements.
“The ISIS is betting on the fall of Anbar province in order to defy the world. But the sons of the tribes are determined to confront them alongside the security forces,” he added.
Muhammad complained that the Iraqi government has been negligent about arming the Sunni tribal forces in their fight against the religious radicals.
Muhammad said that some tribal leaders had even sought arms and ammunition from Iran, but encouraged Baghdad to support the tribes instead. He warned that outside help “will sow more differences and have the opposite effect on the security situation in the province.”
