ERBIL, Kurdistan region - The overcrowded bridge leading into the Iraqi capital has yet to be opened to the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing ISIS violence in Anbar province. “Bezebz Bridge that stretches between Baghdad and Anbar province until this moment is closed,” Saad Maan, Baghdad operations spokesman, announced on Sunday. Fierce fighting in Anbar's provincial capital of Ramadi and its surrounding areas has sent up to 110,000 refugees fleeing towards Baghdad over the past month with many now living on the outskirts of the city. Maan said authorities intended to open the bridge to the refugees after "bureaucratic steps" were taken but did say when or what procedures were necessary. Ramadi fall to the jihadists on May 15 after weeks of fighting in the area. A military campaign is now being planned to liberate Anbar province from ISIS militias in tandem with Shiite militias and airstrikes by the US-led coalition. Anbar province Governor Suhaib Ismail on Saturday called on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to facilitate the transfer the Anbar refugees to the Kurdistan region, the Al-Mada Iraqi newspaper reported. Ismail reportedly asked Abadi to transfer the refugees via Baghdad airport to the Kurdish cities of Erbil and Sulaimani.
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