More than a year has passed since the Islamic State (IS) occupied six major towns in Anbar, stretching from Qaim to Rutbah, Anah to Rawa and Hit to Fallujah. Over the last two months and up until today, it has simultaneously opened six new fronts, including in Haditha, central Ramadi, Tharthar, al-Amiriyah, al-Karmah and al-Baghdadi, to complete its occupation of the whole of Anbar province.

The ignition of the Anbar front is a direct attempt by IS to make up for its defeat in Tikrit, but it was no surprise, particularly since Anbar has always been an open, vast and ideal geographic arena for extremist organizations over the past years. Anbar was the stronghold of al-Qaeda and a large number of armed factions, such as the Islamic Army in Iraq (AIA), the Mujahedeen Army and Hamas in Iraq. The province witnessed major military operations during the US occupation (2003-12).

The map of IS-controlled areas in Anbar, which overlap with areas that it has not controlled, is based on the nature of tribal division there. It is also based on Iraqi forces’ positions they are committed to defending. Over the past year, the Iraqi forces did not completely abandon their positions, despite the intensive offensives launched by IS in Anbar.

The Iraqi forces were able to keep on holding the military bases in al-Baghdadi and Habaniyah, the Anbar city center and the Haditha district. On Feb. 26, 2014, IS launched a wide-scale attack to occupy al-Baghdadi base, but the army was able to stop the organization. On March 22, 2015, the army foiled an attack launched against Haditha, which IS tried to occupy on Oct. 10, 2014. The organization also failed there. On Dec. 28, 2014, and on Feb. 26 and March 11 of this year, IS also tried to occupy the city of Ramadi and oust the local government, but also failed.