Life in Ramadi city in Iraq has turned into a terrifying hellish nightmare for its trapped citizens who are being herded as into a 'sealed casket' as human shields Isis (Daesh) fighters who are becoming outnumbered in the face of Iraqi government troops swiftly closing in for a final battle to retake the city.
According to Al Arabiya, Iraqi forces cut Daesh's last supply line into Ramadi in November since when the city has been besieged with Daesh unable to send in reinforcement or supply its fighters with necessary weapons, food and medicines.
Reuters also spoke to five residents inside the city and three who recently managed to get out. "Daesh fighters are becoming more hostile and suspicious. They prevent us from leaving houses. Everyone who goes out against orders is caught and investigated," said one Abu Ahmed. "We feel we're living inside a sealed casket."
The inhabitants of Ramadi are facing a harsher regime under Isis fighters who fear that they will have to retreat from Ramadi which they had conquered last year in May.
Sheikh Khatab al-Amir was reported by Reuters to be still in contact with members of his tribe inside Ramadi. According to him, "The insurgents have sectioned Ramadi into a group of smaller segments and do not permit the passage of civilians from one area to the other because they suspect anyone at the moment of being an informant for the security forces."
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has vowed to retake the city and Iraqi forces are regrouping to take the city. Nobody know when the final offensive will come. Meanwhile, local officials and tribal leaders estimate between 1,200-1,700 families remain trapped inside Ramadi, according to Reuters, and anyone trying to escape faces execution.
This is what has given to speculation that the trapped civilians will be Daesh's human shields when the terrorists face the final offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the city.
