An army officer told Reuters: "It is an indication that a major military operation to retake the city centre will start soon."
Last week, Iraqi armed forces said they had made major advances in the vicinity of Ramadi and were now operating on its edge.
They took a key military base from fighters on the western edge of the city after attacking them on two fronts.
Analysts estimate there are between 250 and 300 IS militants in the centre of Ramadi.
The Iraqi forces have been backed up in their fight in Anbar province by coalition airstrikes.
RAF Tornados have been involved in providing close air support in and around Ramadi.
It is not known if coalition jets are likely to be involved in any future planned operation.
The United States and its allies staged 20 strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria on Friday, including one near the Iraqi city of Fallujah.
The US admitted the latter strike is being investigated as a possible friendly fire incident.
The vast majority of Friday's strikes were carried out against IS in Iraq, with targets near five other cities including Ramadi involved.
Iraq's defence minister Khaled al Obeidi predicted on Saturday that security forces would retake full control of Ramadi by the end of the year.
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