Highlights
Heavy fighting in Heet and Ramadi between ISF and ISIL resulted in displacement of an estimated 180,000 people.
Humanitarian access extremely limited.
IDPs refused entry to Kerbala.
30,000 family food rations dispatched and rapid response family kits on standby.
2,821 Syrian refugees crossing into Kurdistan Region of Iraq from Turkey.
Situation Overview
In Anbar Governorate, heavy fighting is taking place between ISIL and affiliated armed groups and Iraqi Armed Forces, supported by Sunni militias, in Heet since earlier this month and in Ramadi since 12 October. Coalition airstrikes are being conducted on ISIL positions in and around Heet. In Falluja, intermittent clashes are continuing in residential districts.
As a result of clashes in Heet, reports indicate that 30,000 families, or approximately 180,000 individuals, both Heet residents and IDPs, many experiencing their second, third or fourth displacement, have reportedly left the city in the past few days. About 100,000 IDPs were in Heet prior to their displacement. The town was one of the few parts of the governorate where humanitarian aid has been delivered in recent months. This is the fourth major displacement in less than a year in Iraq. The displaced dispersed to Ramadi, Khaldiya, Hajaj and Amiryah Rahaliya. Many fled in vehicles taking basic household items and found refuge with other IDPs in public buildings, such as schools, where previously displaced are already residing. A security source said on 12 October a curfew was imposed in Ramadi.
500 IDP families from Heet have fled to the Anbar sub-district of Nughaib, about 200 km from Kerbala. The host community has taken in about five IDP families each. The IDPs require food, NFIs, such as tents and blankets, as well as medical supplies.
Sources also indicate that approximately 400 IDP families fleeing Heet are being prevented from entering Kerbala. Kerbala is one of the main routes available from Heet and other Anbar Governorate conflict-affected towns for passage to Baghdad. The road from Heet to Beiji-Kirkuk is closed due to insecurity and civilians are using the road from Heet through to Amiriyat al-Falluja and onwards to the west of Baghdad.