Special to WorldTribune.com

Iraq is set to launch an offensive to retake the city of Ramadi from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

The Iraqi air force on Dec. 20 dropped leaflets in Ramadi, calling for residents of the ISIL-controlled city to leave within 72 hours. Ramadi is the capital of the Sunni-majority Anbar province.

“It is an indication that a major military operation to retake the city center will start soon,” an Iraqi military officer told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Printed on the leaflets were safe routes for civilians to take in order to exit the city. The leaflets also asked the residents to have identification documents, joint operations spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool said.

“All security forces were instructed on how to deal with civilians approaching them,” Rasool said.

Iraq’s military has claimed it has recently made successful advances on two fronts in Ramadi, driving ISIL militants from a military command base and from the neighborhood of al-Taamim on the western side of the city.

Iraqi intelligence estimates between 250 and 300 ISIL jihadists are entrenched in Ramadi.

  Anbar province, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, drops leaflets for civilians in ISIL-controlled Ramadi, Iraqi military readies offensive, WorldTribune.com