35 IS militants killed in clashes with security forces in Iraq

Baghdad, Jan 18: The Iraqi security forces killed 35 Islamic State (IS) terrorists on Sunday in clashes in the provinces of Anbar and Salahudin, security sources told Xinhua news agency.

In Anbar province, the security forces and allied Sunni tribal fighters fought fierce battles with IS terrorists and managed to extend their grip in Sajjariyah and Juwiba districts in the eastern part of the provincial capital city Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad.

The battle, which were covered by Iraqi and US-led coalition aircraft, left at least 25 terrorists killed and six of their vehicles destroyed, while four security members were also killed and some nine others wounded during the day, the source said.

The security forces captured downtown Ramadi from the IS on December 28, raising the Iraqi flag on the government complex there, but small parts of the city has not yet been fully secured due to a large numbers of bombs planted by the IS.

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

IANS