When jihadi forces over-ran Iraq\u2019s strategic city of Ramadi last month, officials and analysts rushed to explain how militants could claim a major win nine months after the world\u2019s most powerful military set out to destroy them. But for residents, the only surprise was how such a predictable attack caught everyone off guard.<\/p>\n
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (known as Isis) used the same playbook it employed when it shocked the world with its capture of Iraq\u2019s second city Mosul last summer: it set up sleeper cells and assassinated security officials months before it blitzed across Iraq and neighbouring Syria.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew they were coming,\u201d\u009d says resident Abu Abbas. \u201cEverybody in Ramadi knew where they were, and we warned security forces for months, but it was useless. Eventually they spread messages to civilians saying \u201d\u02dcIsis is coming to save you from the apostates\u2019, and then the blasts came.\u201d\u009d He fled Ramadi as at least five trucks driven into the city by suicide bombers exploded, and amid reports of the army retreating.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsis hasn\u2019t changed at all,\u201d\u009d Abu Abbas says, almost in disbelief. \u201cThey don\u2019t need to.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n