Iraqi Security Forces Prepare for the Imperative Siege of Fallujah

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have recovered from their loss at Al-Ramadi (provincial capital of the Al-‘Anbar Governorate) in April of 2015, thanks in large part to the development and mobilization of the civilian-led paramilitary force “Hash’d Al-Sha’abi” – a militia that played an integral role in the capture of Tikrit earlier this year.

Now, the Iraqi Army – in coordination with Liwaa Al-Badr (Badr Brigades), Al-Anbari tribesmen, and Hash’d Al-Sha’abi – are preparing for the imperative siege of Fallujah; this comes at a time when the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) finds itself spread too thin around Iraq and Syria, despite their prevalent offensives.

The Iraqi Army and their allies did not waste any time attacking the strategic town of Al-Saqlawiyah in the northwestern countryside of Fallujah; thus preparing for their eventual siege.

The capture of Al-Saqlawiyah will provide the Iraq Armed Forces access to the Amman-Baghdad Highway that leads to the eastern district of Fallujah and eventually 35km east to the Baghdad International Airport.

If the Iraqi Armed Forces capture Fallujah; this will create a dilemma for the ISIS fighters entrenched at the city of Karma, due to their isolation from the terrorist group’s critical supply routes in the Al-‘Anbar Governorate.

Should the Iraqi Armed Forces capture Karma and Fallujah, the nations capital of Baghdad will no longer be striking distance for the militants of ISIS and their allies.