ISIL makes gains in Ramadi, Baiji at "stalemate" - Pentagon

WASHINGTON, May 16 (KUNA) -- The security situation in Baiji and the outlying oil refinery are at a military "stalemate," while ISIL made gains in Ramadi, US Brigadier General Thomas Weidley said on Friday in an update on the campaign against ISIL in Iraq.
In Ramadi, after a period of relative stability in the tactical situation, "Daesh (ISIL) executed a complex attack on Iraqi Security Forces today," Weidley, chief of staff for the Combined Joint Task Force, said in a Pentagon briefing via teleconference. "These forces were able to repel most of these attacks, but some gains were made by Daesh in previously contested areas." Areas of Ramadi remain contested "as Daesh terrorists attempt to consolidate and defend some of their recent temporary gains in the east and south of the city," he said.
Iraqi Security Forces, as well as federal and local police, continue to control most of the key facilities, infrastructure and lines of communication in the area, he said.
Discussing Baiji, Weidley said, "This is a dynamic and fluid battle space at the moment as the ISF, supported by the coalition, makes concerted efforts to remove Daesh from this key infrastructure and critical crossroads." ISIL has breached the refinery's perimeter and maintains episodic control of some refinery facilities in order to continue attacking Iraqi Security Forces, he said.
"It is a tough fight right now and the Iraqi Security Forces are working continually to improve their position, not only within the refinery itself, but along the route leading to the refinery," he said. Iraqi Security Forces have been able to provide limited resupply of their forces at the refinery as the Iraqi air force has successfully air- dropped numerous bundles of supplies, he said.
The coalition has conducted 17 engagements within the last 72 hours, and advise-and-assist planners are working closely with the ISF to control critical infrastructure and lines of communication, Weidley said.
"Baiji remains important to the Iraqis and the coalition will fully support their efforts to gain control of this key terrain for the government of Iraq," he said.
Weidley downplayed the situation in Baiji and Ramadi.
"As the coalition continues to support these operations ... we think we are going to achieve success," he said.
ISIL will conduct "episodic attacks, sometimes complex attacks, in order to gain a narrative advantage," he said. (end) rm.bs