24 killed in bomb attacks, clashes with IS in Iraq's Anbar

A total of 24 people were killed and 29 others wounded on Saturday in bomb attacks and clashes with Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's western province of Anbar, a provincial security source said.

In one attack, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden military vehicle near the security forces and allied militias, known as Hashd Shaabi, in east of the IS-held city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, leaving six security members killed and nine others wounded, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the troops fought fierce clashes with IS militants in Huseiba al-Sharqiyah area in east of Ramadi, the provincial capital city which located about 110 km west of Baghdad, killing five militants and destroying one of their vehicles, the source said.

Four policemen were killed and nine others wounded in clashes with IS militants in Falahat area, just west of Fallujah, the source said without giving further details.

Moreover, a policeman was killed and five wounded in the IS mortar barrage on a police station in Habbaniyah area, some 80 km west of Baghdad, the source added.

Separately, three border guard officers and five guards were killed and six others wounded when two roadside bombs went off near a convoy of army vehicles at Trebil border crossing with Jordan which located at a remote area of Anbar province's desert area, the source said, adding that the blasts also destroyed two military vehicles.

Iraqi security forces and allied Hashd Shaabi paramilitary militias have been fighting for months to retake control of key cities and towns in the largest province from the IS militants, which seized most of Anbar and tried to advance toward Baghdad. Endit