Civilians trapped inside Ramadi as fighting continues

Ramadi, which is the capital city of the Anbar governorate, has been under the control of armed opposition groups since April 2014. On 22 December, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) began its military operation to enter and retake control of the city. Days before the start of the military offensive, ISF dropped leaflets over the city, advising people to leave their homes. However, only around 178 reported families have managed to flee and get to safety. 

“The few families that have managed to escape the fighting  tell us that civilians trapped in areas held by armed opposition groups are prevented from leaving the city due to the fear of being attacked and held hostage,” Noori says. 

NRC’s teams are present on ground in Habaniya Tourist City, a town approximately 16 kilometres south-east of Ramadi, providing newly displaced Iraqis from Anbar with urgent assistance. 

“The majority of the few families that have managed to flee Ramadi consist of women and children. Some of them are injured, others are still in shock. They arrive carrying only the clothes they are wearing, as they had to leave all their belongings behind. Many don’t even have their identification documents with them,” says Arkan Mahir, who is part of NRC’s Rapid Response team. 

Together with the rest of NRC’s Rapid Response team, Mahir has been working day and night in order to provide the newly displaced families with food parcels, water, hygiene kits, blankets, mats, heaters and mattresses.

“The people we have met tell us about a very dangerous escape from Ramadi, risking their lives in order to get to safety. Many hid behind building walls and inside houses for several days during the escape, in order to protect themselves and their children from the heavy fighting,” Mahir says. 

Reports from within Ramadi City indicate that the humanitarian situation is sharply deteriorating with shortages in food, drinking water and basic services. NRC urges all parties of the conflict to respect the rules and principles of international humanitarian law and to recognise the humanitarian needs of the civilian population of Ramadi. Furthermore, safe routes out of Ramadi must be secured so civilians can get to safety and gain access to humanitarian assistance.