ERBIL – The Iraqi security said on wednesday that its forces have arrested a group of militants from the Islamic State (ISIS) after trying to flee the city of Ramadi while dressed as women. “The terrorists had shaved their beards and dressed as women in a bid to fool our forces and escape the liberated city of Ramadi. However, they were all arrested before escaping the city,” the Iraqi security command said in a statement.
The Iraqi army announced on Tuesday the “full liberation” of Ramadi city, capital of Anbar province, from ISIS militants.
Dozens of ISIS jihadis are believed to be stranded inside Ramadi after the Iraqi troops imposed their control over the city.
Speaking to ARA News, local media activist Fouad Al-Saddi said that the Iraqi forces raided several neighborhoods across the city looking for ISIS militants.
“The militants who remained in the city are now trying to escape at any cost in order to avoid falling in the hands of the government forces,” Al-Saddi said.
“At least nine ISIS jihadis were destained on wednesday while trying to flee the security checkpoints of the Iraqi forces in Ramadi suburb. They were all dressed as women,” the source added.
Backed by the U.S.-led coalition’s airstrikes, Iraqi army forces have been engaged in fierce battles with ISIS militant fighters in Ramadi and its suburbs over the last few weeks.
“Our forces have pushed Daesh (ISIS) militants out of the city’s outskirts. Ramadi is now under the full control of the army,” Iraqi central command announced on Tuesday.
The Iraqi army had declared the liberation of Ramadi from ISIS earlier in December. However, the militant group fought back and regained several districts across the city after renewed clashes with Iraqi army troops, where dozens of fighters were reported dead on both sides.
In the meantime, governor of Anbar province Suhaib al-Rawi said that the bombs and land-mines left by ISIS prevent displaced civilians from returning to Ramadi.