Iraqi forces repel IS attacks in western Baghdad

Iraqi security forces repelled attacks by Islamic State (IS) militants Monday in the western province of Anbar, a provincial security source told Xinhua.

Dozens of IS militants along with some suicide bombers prepared for the attack, carried mortar fusillade towards security posts in the villages of al-Hessi and Albu Aasi in the northern government-controlled town of Ameriyat al-Fallujah, about 40 km west of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Security troops and allied Sunni tribal paramilitary units repelled the attack, forcing a withdrawal following the death of 11 IS militants, including three suicide bombers, while two security members were killed and five others were injured, added the source.

A second IS attack took place as a suicide bomber drove his explosive-filled vehicle into the troops and allied tribal units posts in the area of Zankoura, northwest of Ramadi and about 110 km west of Baghdad.

Eight soldiers were killed and 14 others were injured, and five military vehicles were wrecked, the source said.

The attack comes a week following the flushing out of IS militants by security forces from Zankoura and the raising of the Iraqi flag atop an area building.

Iraqi security forces have been battling IS militants to repossess control of large territories in northern and western Iraq, seized by IS since June 2014.

Security forces have so far recovered Ramadi, the provincial capital of the country's largest province of Anbar in December of last year.

Currently Iraqi security forces are fighting to regain the rest of the province of Anbar whilst simultaneously preparing a major offensive against the IS-controlled city of Mosul, northern Iraq's second largest city. Endit