Security forces launch anti-IS offensive to free town near Baghdad

Iraqi security forces on Wednesday launched an offensive to flush out Islamic State (IS) militants from a town near the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a security source told Xinhua.

The security forces and allied paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters advanced from two directions toward the IS-held town of Garma, just east of the militant seized city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The troops fought fierce clashes with the extremist militants during the day and managed to recapture three villages as they advanced to the northern edges of Garma, leaving at least 17 militants killed and destroying five of their vehicles, the source said, adding that four security members were also killed and six others wounded.

The battles continued during the night as the troops are fighting to seize the central part of the town, as explosive experts are working to defuse dozens of roadside bombs planted by IS militants on the roads leading to the town, the source added.

Meanwhile, U.S.-led coalition aircraft bombarded an IS position near Anbar's provincial capital city of Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, leaving five extremist militants killed, the source said.

Last December, the troops recovered Ramadi, the provincial capital of the country's largest province of Anbar.

Iraqi security forces and allied paramilitary units have been battling IS militants for re-control of large territories in northern and western Iraq that have been seized by the IS since June 2014. Enditem