Iraqi security forces repel IS attacks in Anbar

Iraqi security forces and allied Sunni tribal fighters on Wednesday repelled an attack by Islamic State (IS) militants on a town in the western province of Anbar, a provincial security source said.

In the early hours of the day, dozens of IS militants with a number of suicide bombers wearing explosive vests attacked the town of al-Baghdadi, some 190 km northwest of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, but were repelled by government troops and local Sunni tribal fighters, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

At least 13 IS militants, including three suicide bombers, were killed in the fighting, which also killed the town's police chief, a local tribal leader and eight security members, the source said.

Al-Baghdadi and other areas near the town of Haditha, about 200 km northwest of Baghdad, have been the scene of a series of attacks by IS militants, which were all repelled by security forces and local Sunni tribal fighters, with an air cover by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition aircraft.

Also in the province, the Iraqi aircraft destroyed four booby-trapped cars driven by suicide bombers before they reach their targets at military positions in Albu Haiys area in north of the provincial capital city of Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, the source added.

For months the troops have been fighting to retake control of key cities and towns in Anbar, Iraq's largest province, from IS militants who previously seized most of Anbar and tried to advance toward Baghdad. Endite