it is clear that isil considers anbar strategic.rders territory it controls in neighboring syria. it controlled most of the province before this latest assault, now isil controls most of the capitol of the sunni heartland. people of ramadi were caught in the fighting and the fear is isil will punish those who cooperated with the authorities. council officials are blaming the central government in baghdad for isil's huge gains. sunni tribes allied with the government have been warning that isil would make gains if military reinforcements and weapons weren't sent. but the government won't give them weapons because they are suspicious of their loyally, and the regular forces are too weak to fight this war alone. >> for months we have been complaining and telling the security ministry and prime minister there at each part of the forces there working along with its own leadership. there's no coordination. there's no strengthening with the tribal members by weapons or by either planning or training, but yet there's no solutions. >> report

♪ iraq's army launches a military operation to retake western anbar province from i.s.i.l. ♪ hello, i'mhelle in doha and also ahead on the program a month after attacking the university in northeast kenya al-shabab gunmen return to the area to target police forces. the latest on the mass graves found in malaysia and our reporter is at the scene. smugglers who go fishing for fuel off the beefaches off togo. ♪ three suicide car bombers have launched attacks as iraq's military begins operation to try and retake anbar province from i.s.i.l. and shia malitia are involved in the operation which some say could raise sectarian tensions and anbar is a large mostly sunni province in the west and took control of ramadi the capitol last week sending iraqi troops running and rampty is 115 kilometers from the capitol baghdad and we are in baghdad and joins us now and what is going to be different about this operation to retake anbar as opposed to the fact it fell in the first place, what is going to be different? >> well what they are doing is pumping in a lot more resources than they have done previ

anbar was the greatest challenge to u.s.s when they were in iraq and lost a lot of men and they were able to succeed after they received support of the locals and military solution failed and sunni leaders believe it will fail yet again if the iraqi government doesn't bring the people to its side. until then the human suffering is only getting worse with many people trying to escape for years now there has been no peace between the mainly sunni province of anbar and shia led government in baghdad and people say restoreing confidence should be part of a military strategy if i.s.i.l. is to be defeated. the government does not have a strong presence in anbar and we have to remember before i.s.i.l. took control of the heart land they were already holding ground in anbar and have to remember before i.s.i.l. took the territory there was a sunni uprising and protests in anbar and government clamped down on protests and caused anger and this is a political battle as much as a military battle. >> live in baghdad. let's bring in victo

isis has control of the, the majority of anbar province. virtually all anbar province at this time. which is a terrible situation for coalition fors to be in. given the proximity to baghdad as you said. certainly seems like it will be one of the first targets. given that, since the -- the, awakening or the movement began in ramadi, a relatively new conquest. difficult for yes to hold it. >> what do you make of the prime minister's strategy now to allow militias to fight in this predominantly sunni city. that itself comes with risks. >> it certainly comes with risks. right now given they're in a terrible situation. it makes sense to bring shiaa militias in, though it is going to be seen as a force that isn't of the local population. what should have been done months ago, the iraqi government or if the iraqi government wouldn't do it. the united states. should have made sure the sunni tribes in the ramadi area were getting arms, ammunition, getting the kind of supplies they would need to hold out against the siege, isis imposed upon the city. they did not get those. they were defen ep

but it's not just within anbar province it's also securing baghdad as well. many team say if baghdad falls isil have won, there are also other significant challenges. that includes finding homes for these people, who are fleeing the violence, and making sure that they get back home i eventually. imran kahn, al jazerra, on the outskirts of anbar province. >>> the fall of rah mad toy isil forces was an embarrassing defeat for the iraqi army and the government. one question being asked is who ask in channel of the campaign to refake anbar rosalind jordan explains. 10-1. the pentagon says that's by how much iraqi army troops out numbered isil forces before ramadi the provincial capital fell on may 15th. making u.s. defense secretary ashton carter's recent criticism of the iraqi military all the more damaging. what apparently happened is the iraqi forces just showed no will to fight. they were not out numbered. in fact, they vastly out numbered the opposing force. and yet they failed to fight and withdrew from the site. that says to me, and i think to most of us,

and there were proceedtestsvant was strong in anbar and there were protests.ing demands for the government not to marginalize them. there was a lot of hatred and, at the end of the day, if these two sides do not reconcil, the decision to send in shia malitias will only exacerbate and inflame sectarian tensions. we have heard some warn that they will consider this an iranian occupation. it is a very delicate time in iraq, but isil making gains not noble ramadi but across the anbar province and the regular forces, iraqi armies just two weak and the government is refusing or is reluctant to provide weapons to sunni drives to wage this fight alone. now with the decision to send in shia malitias will inflame tensions in the country. >> zeina chase khodr. kimberly halkett has been monitor the impact on the battle for ramadi. >> reporter: an intense 24 hours for the u.s.-led coalition. multiple airstrikes at a variety of locations in syria as well as iraq using bomber attack as well as fighter aircraft hitting isil's tactical as well as staging areas. in syria, eight

more than 6,000 shia military fighters are in anbar. these men will be leading the fight because regular forces are weak and not ready and government is not ready to bring sunnies into the militias. >> the only way to stop them is to gave them guarantees to sunni tribes. they need to trust the government's promises. mistrust is deep. real reconciliation is needed to stop isil's gains. the sunnies need to know what will happen after isil is defeat defeated. >> sunni leaders opposed to the government have repeated by demanded a say in running this country. they don't want to join the fight against isil only to give territory to iranian backed shia militias. it is a critical time. iraq's communities need to come together because so far isil has manageed to gain ground by exploiting their differences. >> in syria 14 people have been killed and dozens more injured by government shellling. the regime is said to have used barrel bombs to target the district under the control of isil. it's thought eight children were among the victims. >>> ther

the balancebattle for anbar government forces launch an offensive to drive rice ill out of iraq's largest province. >>> this is al jazerra, i am darren jordan in doha. also a ahead at prom. a grim cover discovery. the remains of human trafficking victims. >>> a severe heat wave in india. also ahead. >> reporter: i am in london, where daniel is unveiling his reinvention of the piano. ♪ ♪ >>> iraq's military has launched an operation to try and retake anbar province from the islamic state of the iraq and the levan shia in litschs are also involved which some thinks could raise sectarian tensions. isil took control of ramadi last week with iraqi troops fleeing. ramadi lies just 115-kilometers from the capital baghdad and keeping isil out of baghdad is now a top priority with troops secure its outskirts imran kahn reports from the last safe place to cross from anbar to baghdad. >> reporter: iraqi forces gather to pretear to ray prepare to retake the city. it's likely to to be a long operation there are reporters of isil forces preparing to lead government forces. they will lead with the backi

it is clear that isil considered anbar strategic.borders territories it controls in neighboring syria. it has controlled most of anbar province before this latest assault, now isil controls most of the capitol of the sunni heartland. people of ramadi were caught in the fighting and the fear is isil will punish those who cooperated with the authorities. council officials in anbar are blaming the central government in baghdad for isil's huge gains. sunni tribes have been warning that isil would make gains if military reinforcements and weapons weren't sent to ramadi. but the government won't give them weapons because they are suspicious of their loyalty, and the regular forces are too weak to fight the war alone. after suffering military setbacks in other provinces, isil can now claim a victory just weeks after the government declared a military campaign to recapture anbar. >>> the united states says it is watching the situation in anbar closely, but as rosiland jordan reports from the state department, the fighting is flew it with and

. >> reporter: there is a new front line in anbar province.the east of ramadi there is a fierce fight. isil has taken some towns in the district. forces loyal to the government are trying to prevent the armed group from getting closer to a main base a few kilometers away. the islamic state of iraq and the levant hasn't lost its momentum. just days after seizing the capitol, ramadi. there are those two believe the armed group may not just want to grab territory. it wants to drain the resources of its opponents. >> does isil want to settle or to be a moved group? this is the idea of to be a moving combat or let's say a moving group, that you are always threatening so many fronts especially when the defensive military forces are not equipped and not ready. >> reporter: shia militia commanders are moving some of their troops from the front lines across iraq towards anbar as part of ongoing operations for the promised counter offensive. these men are known as the popular mobilization force, and they will lead the fight in the sunni province. they w

it is the capital of the province of anbar the biggest province of iraq. and because the islamic state fighters were present in the city since january 2015, they operated in cities at the beginning of last year. we should know that it is very symbolic. why? many of the fighters and leaders of the islamic state are from anbar and some from ramadi. it is known for almost a decade since islamic state was created -- taking back this capital of anbar is very important for them. it is as important as when they took mosul last summer. they are getting a grip on sunni provinces. they have a frontier with syria and borders with syria jordan, and it is very important strategically and symbolically. genie: what does this mean for the war against the islamic state group? reporter: it is a big setback for the iraqi government. the only sunni opponents, the sunni militias, fighting the islamic state were in anbar. there is no sunni militias fighting -- there is a small militia fighting taking back to create but it is very particular to the zone -- taking back tikritk,,

they don't think that the anbar offensive will take very long. however, their investment is racing fierce because most of anbar's oppositealation is sunni. anbar's capital ramadi fell to isil just a week ago. a major defeat for iraqi forces. it is 115 kilometers away from baghdad. we have reports on the outside skirts of anbar province. >> iraqi security forces gather on the edge of ramadi prepare to go retake the city which fell from fighters to the islamic state in iraq and the levant more than a week ago. [ gunfire ] it's likely to be a long operation. there are reports of isil fighters prepareing to meet government security forces. they'll lead the operation from shia militia many of which are supported from iran and airstrikes by a coalition of countries led by the united states. the e. coli arm are gearing up with other politicians. it's feared that isil fighters could push into baghdad. to prevent that from happening this man is securing the outskirts of the capital. the >> each militia has its own identity but all fight thunder banner inc

the militia leaders say they don't think that the anbar offensive will take long. however, their involvement is raising fears of sectarian tensions anbar province sharing borders with syria jordan, and saudi arabia and the capital fell to isil a week ago. that was a major defeat for iraqi forces. the city is only 115 kilometers away from baghdad. iraqi security forces gather prepare to go retake the city city that fell to the islamic state in iraq and the levant more than a week ago. there are reports of isil fightersing to meet government security forces. the operation backing from shia militia, many of which are supported by iran and airstrikes airstrikes. it's fear that isil fighters could push into baghdad. to prevent that happening this man is securing the outskirts of the capital. the area is being fortified. we're fighting psychological war. they have been accused of retreating. we're not. we're backing up our troops here and preparing for the fall of ramadi. >> the forces here are mainly shia militia. each militia has its own identity but all fights under t

"bbc news," anbar province.hor: and before heading out on patrol, john simpson sat down with the p.m. they discussed comments by the american defense secretary ashton warlt away -- carter who said that iraqi troops lacked the will to hold the city. >> it makes my heart bleed because we lost -- but i can assure you we can bring it back soon. >> you say soon, what are we talking about, months? >> no, no, i'm talking about days now. >> days? >> yeah. anchor: iraq's p.m. talking to john simpson. a short time ago i spoke to the man from the washington policy. do you think iraq troops can get the city back within days? >> i'm skeptical that within days. with the right support from other coalition countries i think they can retake it just like they took that create. anchor: the u.s. defense secretary said that iraqi forces lacked the will to fight. was he speaking the truth? >> secretary carter has access to highly classified information we don't and i'm sure he's frustrated because i've seen this in the past. nonethel

so are the iraqi forces capable of retaking anbar? >> well this remains to be seen.nk the first step as your correspondent said is to secure the line of supplies and retake some roads, main roads and major villages strategic cities of anbar. if they are successful in this drive i think they will be able to retake anbar or ramadi center but if they fail in this drive i think it will be very difficult for them to do anything. >> what role do the iraqi people play in this? >> well the main forces are civilian forces or civilian malitias or they call them tribal forces of the anbar, of the anbar province because the army has proved that it was unable and uncapable of defending the land or defending the areas that they were in. so i think it's mostly popular rather than armed forces. >> what role does the u.s. play in this? >> well i think all these catastrophes are because of the united states' invasion and destruction of iraq and desolvement of the army in 2003 and they have not built anything in iraq and left iraq without creating a real democratic or stable government

s offensive in anbar. the u.s., which leads the coalition is stepping up air strikes, promising to help the iraqi government recapture lost ground. i.s.i.l. is on the offensive. people on the contested town is on the move. the armed group is tackling forces. fighting has displaced thousands. makeshift amps are being set up in pockets of territory under the control of the government and local allies in anbar. not all sunni tribes support the government, and dissent is growing. >> we are here to help our people who have been abandoned by officials. provincial council members and the government are not doing anything. >> reaching out to anbar is needed to win the war. the government has done little. what have our children done to deserve this. we have not eaten for two days. >> the battle for anbar has not begun in ernest, and there are fears of consequences. leaders demanded that they secure their province, defeating i.s.i.l. is the first challenge. if shia forces fill the vacuum, it could mean another war .

casualties occurred in anbar province during the second iraq war.ay it is a ghost town abandoned by the iraqi army. they fought for just two days leaving behind american equipment. retaking ramadi will be difficult. >> reporter: they are preparing for a war that could deepen the divide in iraq. they plan to push deep into the sunni heartland to recapture territory from the islamic state of iraq and the levant. >> translator: the popular mobilization forces are getting ready to take back anbar. people asked for our help about month ago, but politicians were reluctant. >> reporter: the anbar province shall council did ask for assistance. but many don't want shia forces on their land and would have preferred arms to wage the battle alone. officials in baghdad are insisting that these fighters backed by iran are no longer militias and operate under the government. they are trying to calm sunni fears. even the u.s. has expressed concern about deploying them in the sunni province, but now it says it backs the government's decision. some say the paramilita

this is the last safe place to cross anbar into baghdad. with the operation now underway, it's likely we'll see more scenes like this, fears of what comes next are common here. >> as long as we sunnis are marginalized the fight will take a long time. i would join the fight if the government accepts us. >> iraq security forces have opened and closed this bridge as random concerned that isil fighters will enter as displaced people increasing the tension be in the capitol and elsewhere. >> there's no doubt rack has a huge challenge on its hands in securing anbar province and defeating isil. it's also securing baghdad, as well. many people say that if baghdad falls, then isil won. there are other significant challenges including finding homes for these people who are fleeing the violence and making sure that they get back home eventually. al jazeera on the outskirts of anbar province. >> a retired iraqi army brigadier general joins us now. i want to ask about the reports that iraq's shia paramilitaries have taken charge of the campaign to drive

in a sunni area of anbar. you introduce a level of sectarianism into the fight that is not helpful in either way, and it will be in my mind up to the shia militia, those that will be employed under the control of baghdad, to demonstrate that they could go into the area and not be seen as sectarian fighters. >> are they under iraqi control or operating under instructions from the iranian military to train them. >> it's the shia militia that the prime minister has control over, that the united states has supported being put into this fight. my personal view this is the wrong way to go. i believe that the prime minister is under such pressure to show progress that he doesn't lotz ramadi -- lose ramadi, that he's willing to introduce any risk, and we'll have to see if it turns out to be a greater mistake than simply allowing ramadi to stay until security forces gain control. >> on the positive side of things coalition bombing two weeks ago, killing a man that may have had daily operational control of forces. a u.s

forces were in iraq their greatest challenge was in anbar. they lost a lot of men in the fight, and they weren't able to win militarily. they were only able to win when they got the support of the local population. >> thank you for that. in baghdad. >> now european union ministers have been holding tucks on the migrant crisis in the mediterranean. they're expected to back a proposal for a new naval force to intercept smugglers before their boats reach europe. more than a thousand people have been rescued f people who were heading to europe from libya. >> establishing the e.u. operation, i would expect the decision to be taken today. >> al jazeera's jacky rowland has the latest from brussels. >> e.u. ministers are looking to adopt a comprehensive package on the issue of migration. now that the military aspect to that fighting the people smugglers, but there is the longer term plans to address the migration, and also a humanitarian side to protect refugees. now, on the military side a lot would depend on what kind of u.n. security council resol

and not just from anbar but from all over. and this is unacceptable and the capacity of the iraqis is very limited. there should be a new strategic plan for iraq and the international coalition forces. >> in syria the u.s.-led coalition does not have a partner on the ground. it does not recognize the government's legitimacy. over recent months isil may have been on the defensive. that has now changed. al jazeera baghdad. >> well, iraq's vice president said that many requests were made for help in ramadi, but they never came. >> there were contentious demands made by the people of ramadi and the armed forces in ramadi. i received many demands from the iraqi armed forces asking for weapons, but this was never delivered. the describes tribes have asked to be armed and to be part of the military, but this also did not happen. >> well, a senior member of the iraq shia national alliance coalition, also former government spokesperson and he joins us live from baghdad via skype. what is your reading of the situation at the moment. cer

anbar's capitol, ramadi fell to isil just over a week ago, a major defeat for iraqi forces.mran khan reports. >> reporter: iraqi security forces gather on the edge of ramadi preparing to retake the city which fell to fighters from the islamic state of iraq and the levant more than a week ago. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: it's likely to be a long operation. there are reports of isil fighters preparing to meet government security forces. they have backing from shia militia, many of which are sup pored by iran. the iraqi army is also gearing up for other operations with isil in control of border crossings from syria into anbar, it is feared that isil fighters could push into baghdad. to prevent that this man is securing the outskirs -- outskirts of the capitol. >> translator: we're fighting a psychological war. isil have an effective media campaign against us. we have been accused of retreating. we are not. we are now backing up our troops and preparing for the fall of ramadi. >> reporter: these troops are primarily shia militia. each militia have its own identify but fight under t

the bombers attacked during a sand tomorrow in anbar province.not clear how many bombers there were. but the military says they were attacked from multiple sides. it happens a day after iraq announced a major offensive to try to retake anbar from isil. imran khan has the latest. >> reporter: shia militias mount an assault on isil fighters north of ramadi. there has been sporadic fighting since tuesday as both sides prepare to battle for ramadi. they are trying to take control of villages and townes and use shelling and cut off their main supply lines. once the towns and villages are secured, then the push to ramadi will begin. >> translator: our aim is to meet our armed forces from other fronts. bracings have exclusively shelling and advancing towards isil heightouts. >> reporter: however, writer says the iraqi army tactics against isil are failing because they can't prevent suicide car bombings. >> translator: the iraqi security forces lack the intelligence and reconnaissance to prevent the attacks before they happen. and also the vehicles that

this is the bridge the last safe place to cross from anbar into baghdad.h the operation now underway it's likely we'll see more scenes like this. >> translator: as like as we sunnis are marginalized the fight will take a long time. i will join the fight if the government accepts us. >> reporter: iraqi security forces have opened and closed this bridge at random. and they is only increasing the tension in the capitol and elsewhere. there is no doubt iraq has a huge challenge on its hands, but it's not just within anbar province it's also securing baghdad as well. many people say if baghdad falls then isil have won, but there are other significant challenges including finding homes for these people fleeing the fighting. >>> a retired iraqi army brigadier general says crucial changes need to be made on the ground. >> [ inaudible ] is so crucial in order to achieve the success required in the operation, so why we need command and control. many many sources. that's what you have just mentioned are resources for the operation, and these resources have to be mana

it is clear that isil considers anbar strategic. it controls territory that it controls in neighbor be syria. it controlled most of anbar province before this latest assault. now isil controls most of the capital of the sunni heartland. people were caught in the fighting and the fear is that isil will punish those who cooperated with the authorities. council, officials in anbar are blaming the central government in baghdad for isil's huge gains. sunni tribes allied with the government have been warning that isil would make gains if military reinforcement and weapons weren't sent to ramadi. but the government won't give sunni tribes weapons because they're suspicious of their loyalty, and regular forces are too week to fight this war alone. >> there is no coordination with the members. >> after suffering military set backs in other provinces isil can now claim a victory just weeks after the government declared a military campaign to recapture anbar. al jazeera baghdad. >> america will provide rockets ammunition and other supplies to

now, the anbar provincial council actsking shia led coalition to join the fight. this is not going to be welcome by many sunnis who it is allied to the government and the council is not representative of all sunni tribes in anbar. some of these tribes do cooperate with the government. many influential ones do not. it's a decision that will not help reconciliation in iraq. at the end the process. there was a lot of hatred and at the end of the day, if these two sides do not reconcile, the decision to send in shia malitias will exacerbate and inflame sectarian tensions. we have heard some sunni tribal elders in anbar warn that it is a delicate time in iraq but isil making gains not only in ramadi but across the anbar province and the regularforces, two weeks and the government is refusing or is reluctant to provide weapons to sunni tribes to wage this fight alone. now, with the decision to send in shia malitias will definitely inflame tensions in the country. >> the latest now let's talk to kimberly halkett live in washington, d.c. a reminder we are getting these re

soon. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: tribes are suspicious of shia militias because of anbar's politics.militias have been blamed for revenge attacks in sunni areas. if that happens in anbar, tribal leaders say they won't be able to stop their people from joining isil. shia militia leaders deny carrying out revenge attacks. >>> all over baghdad, you will see posters like this they are promoting the iraqi army and the popular mobilization forces otherwise known as the shia militia. some would say they are propaganda, the government says they are about information. they are promoting the idea that the fight against silz a fight for all iraqis. but just a few meters away political parties linked to shia militias have put up their own posters highlighting the involvement of iran and promote sectarian language. it's this kind of imagery that has iraq's sunni population worried and angry. >>> defense secretary ash carter issuing his sharpest warning yet to china. patricia sabga is here. we have seen a steady escalation of rhetoric in the past couple of days with secretary carter. what is it al

in the ramadi and in the area in anbar province. it stopped the advance in the past where isis was moving freely in these large convoys taking over major cities. if you look at what is going on in ramadi. population centers like ramadi are very difficult for air power to really tackle the isis challenge. you need support of the ground forces there. that has been very difficult and very complex situation there in anbar. sunni province. and government forces, shiia. air power alone cannot really, is not enough in the fight against isis as we hatch seen in anbar. >> yes, something you have been telling us. we see the effects of the lack of air strikes and the lack of ground power there in iraq. we know you will continue to be on top of this story from jordan. for us, thank you so much for the update. isis is fighting close to historic city in iraq. they have destroyed some of the fresh us archaeological sites in the country. why many near for the unesco world heritage site of palmera. awa why south korea is letting a group of of people

in iraq where the government sent in reenforcements to battle islamic state of iraq and levante in anbarn control of 90% and if it falls it will be 100 kilometers by baghdad and carried out suicide attacks and people are fleeing and over 100,000 displaced in the last month alone and we are live with the latest from baghdad and dana what more do you have for us right now? >> reporter: well what i.s.i.l. did really was a message of defiance. now the iraq question government is putting on a very defiant attitude pushing them out of ramadi city and according to the iraqi spokesman reenforcements sent to the city and forces being helped by u.s. led coalition air strikes what he called painful air strikes but what we understand from sources on the ground is that the government has still not launched any kind of counter offensive,, in fact, i.s.i.l. is still pushing forward. yes, i.s.i.l. controls the government compound in ramadi and houses the government headquarters and the government is held newspaper the headquarters of anbar command operation and control an adjacent neighborhood but i.s.i

control of anbar at the time.nd win back that province from al qaeda. so far, reluctance from the sunni tribes to join the fight, not all of them are joining the fight because of mistrust issues between the shia government. and they say they've heard the promises from the iraqi government to arm them in the past. and so far, they have not seen that happen john. >> thanks for that jomana. the u.s. making adjustments in the isis strike in the wake of ramadi's fall to the militant group. u.s. strategy is hinged on iraqi troops and local fighters standing up and stopping the isis advance. and that did not happen in ramadi. it is a failure some republicans are laying at the president's feet. >> we know that hope is not a strategy. the president's plan isn't working. it's time for him to come up with a real overreaching strategy to defeat the ongoing terrorist threat. >> i think even had there been no isis that it would have been far better for us to maintain some presence some troop presence in iraq for a much longer p

who should wage the battle in anbar has been a contentious issue.nment forces have not been able to recapture isil without the help of iranian backed militias. and many sunnies do not want the militias in their province, they prefer weapons. but the government is reluctant to provide them with ammunition. >> so the sunnies already fighting isil on their own may have no other choice but to fight along side the government. they hope not to answer to the shia militia forces. >> we're hoping that this force will become the national guard. we'll be under the defense ministry. >> isil exploited the situation in anbar which has long been a symbol of opposition to shia led rule. this has not be won on the battlefield. it is at the heart of iraq sectarian and political divide. >> the taliban claims responsibility for an attack on a helicopter that killed foreign diplomats in pakistan. and an image change for south africa's, the diplomatic democratic alliance led by its first-ever black. >> hello again. a reminder of the top stories here on al jazeera. "posin

this is the bridge the last safe place to cross from anbar province into baghdad. with the operation underway it's likely to see more scenes like this. >> translator: as long as we sunnis are marginalized the fight will take a long time. there were sunni forces willing to fight, and i would join that fight if the government accepts us. >> reporter: iraqi security forces opened and closed this bridge at random concerned that isil fighters will enter baghdad disguised as displaced people, and that increases the tejs in the capital and elsewhere. there's no doubt iraq has a huge challenge on its hands in securing western anbar province and defeating isil. it's also secured baghdad as well. many say if baghdad falls isil will have won. there are significant challenges including finding homes for these people fleeing the violence and making sure they get back home eventually. >> you've heard jamie describing the u.s. perspective on this. what's going on in iran? ash carter said that these guys showed no will to fight, despite being trained and equipped by the u.s. milit

. >> we're announcing that the popular mobilization forces are getting ready to take back anbar. the people have asked about our help about a month ago but politicians were reluctant. >> the anbar provincial council did request such assistance when the ramadi city fell to isil sunday. the council is not representative of all sunni tribes. many of them don't want shia forces on their land and would have preferred arms so they can wage this battle alone. officials in baghdad are insisting that these fighters who are backed by iran are no longer militias and operate under the government. they are trying to calm sunni fears. even the u.s. has been reluctant but now backs the government decision. >> some say the paramilitary troops are stronger than the state but for the time being they are the only force capable of fighting isil despite months of u.s. training, regular forces are still weak and weren't able to hold ground in the face of isil's offensive in anbar. >> the u.s., which leads the coalition against isil is stepping up airstrikes and has promised to help the iraqi governmen

that's the capital of anbar province. cut off supply routes in the neighboring province. >> senior international correspondent, arwa damon has the the details. this territory was recaptured hours before we arrived. >> when the force moved in here, earlier in the day there were a number of ieds that isis fighters buried. along this route. a number of them exploding on some of these units. there were at least 11 casualties. >> isis used to move with ease, transporting fighters and weapons through areas they controlled. >> anbar province is in that direction. their main aim here right now is to make sure that they hold the defensive position to keep isis from recapturing this territory as -- as other elements of their unit advance further that way. >> reporter: within the shia paramilitary force leading this joint operation with iraq's forces. we cut off their supply routes into anbar and we surrounded the enemy in this area. it is a critical line of defense between the regions that also runs along a vital south to north oil

this is major supply line to anbar province.ilitary operations in anbar could come to a stand still if isil ever managed to close this highway. surrounding baghdad you see these. they are called defense lines. in many ways it is the last line of defense before the capitol itself. after here you get the headquarters of the 24th brigade. they are in charge of reinforcements and logistics. keeping the road open between here and anbar province and keeping the military supplied is crucial. but equally crucial is how to deal with the car bombs isil is using. imran khan al jazeera, baghdad. >>> let's speak now to al jazeera's senior political analyst live with us here in the studio. this big offensive to try to take back huge chunks of anbar province, why now? isil has been gaining huge chunks of land for months now. >> well certainly they are getting desperate. it's not an easy situation where after a year of back and forth with isil clearly the central government in baghdad cannot contain isil let alone defeat it. and so the big ques

-led coalition have begun their fight against islamic state in iraq and the levant in anbar province. coalition airstrikes have argentinaed armor targets. losing control of k ramadi. >> there has been military progress against islamic state in iraq and the levant. shia militia have captureed the town and pushed imout that have town, which is seven kilometers from ramadi the capital of anbar. the iraqi forces were sent to the area to stop isil from advancing further. isil has managed to take towns and cities--excuse me, towns and villages since it captured ramadi on sunday. the capture of the area, the aim is to protect the military base, which was really under threat just earlier today. >> the base is the staging grouped for the government's counter offensive against i believe so in anbar province. in a show of support for the troops officials discussed the military plans that are put in place there. but even before that military operations begin. the base is already under threat. >> we are now on the front line and the positions are heavily fortified. the enemy are trying to reach ou

theone of the attacks of a military convoy in anbar province. it's not clear how many bombers there were, but the military said they were attacked from multiple sides. it happened a day after iraq announced a major offensive to try to take anbar from isil. we have the latest from baghdad. >> reporter: shia militants begin an assault on isil, it was announced on tuesday as both sides prepare to fight for ramadi. they try to take over roads to towns held by isil. once the towns and villages are secured then they will the push to ramadi will begin. >> our aim is to lead our forces from other fronts. operations have exclusively shelling and advancing towards isil fighters. >> however the they say that they are failing because they cannot prevent suicide car bombings. >> the iraqi security forces lack the intelligence and reconnaissance to prevent the attacks before they happen, also the vehicles that isil use are heavily armored. the weapons that the army use can be ineffective. >>> despite that the operation goes on. this is the major supply line t

province and defeating isil, it's not just within anbar profits it's also secure baghdad as well. many people say if baghdad falls, isil have won, there are also other significant challenges that includes finding homes for these people who are fleeing the violence and making sure that they get back home eventually. imran dawn, al jazerra, on the outskirts of anbar province. >>> police in afghanistan have responded to a an attack on a guest house pop player with international visitors, it happened overnight in an upscale kabul neighborhood where several em bass is are located. police have surrounded the building and gunfire has been heard in the area. no one has claimed responsibility. earlier this month taliban fighters attacked another guest house in kabul killing 14 people. nine of them foreigners, including one american. >>> a blistering, dangerous heat wave has much of i india in its grip. officials say more than 750 people have died. on monday, some areas in eastern india recorded temperatures as high as 117 degrees. the hot dry conditions are being made worse by winds blowin

it is clear that isil considers anbar strategic.controlled most much anbar province before this latest assault. now isil controls most of the capital of the sunni heartland. people of ramadi were caught in the fighting and the fear is isil will punish those who cooperated with the authorities. officials are blaming the government for isil's huge gains. they've been warning that isil would make gains if reinforcements and weapons were sent but the government won't give sunni tribes weapons because they're suspicious of their loyalty and forces are too weak to fight the forces alone. >> after suffering military setbacks. other provinces ill can now claim a victory just weeks after the government declared a military campaign to recapture anbar. al jazeera. baghdad? >> the u.s. says despite the setbacks it is still confident that it can help iraq defeat isil. >> there will be good days and bad days in iraq. isil is trying to make today a bad day in ramadi. we've said all along we see this as a long-term fight in conjunction with our ira

♪ iraq launches a military operation to retake anbar province from i.s.i.l. ♪ hello, you are watchingjazeera live from doha. also on the program, a month after attacking this university in kenya al-shabab gunmen return to the area and killed 25 policemen. taliban strikes in southern afghanistan killing five people and another 13 policemen and soldiers in helman and the latest on the mass graves found in malaysia our reporter is at the scene, deep in the jungle. ♪ iraq has launched a military operation to try to retake anbar province from i.s.i.l. what we know is shia para military forces are involved in this operation that some fear could raise sectarian tensions i.s.i.l. fighters took over ramadi just over a week ago and emron has more from baghdad. >> reporter: we are hearing troops have been for ten days to retake parts of the anbar province this is a joint effort between shia forces iraqi forces and other iraqi forces and the police. it's quite likely to be a big operation mounted in stages along some of the roads in anbar province and anbar province is a desert and taking over ke