IS militants killed in clashes, air strikes in western Iraq

The attack comes a day after security forces in Baghdad foiled an attempted suicide bombing by killing the would-be attacker who was targeted Shia pilgrims visiting the south of Baghdad.

Four soldiers are among the dead.

The rituals will culminate on Thursday, 40 days after the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, who was killed at Karbala in 680 AD. Iraqi officials say they expect the number of pilgrims this year to top last year’s record of more than 17 million.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release the information. Sabah al-Numan, the head of Iraq’s anti-terrorism forces, hailed the situation in Anbar province after the recent progress, saying the capital city of Ramadi is under full siege.

No groups have claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Much of the vast desert province, including the city of Fallujah and the provincial capital, Ramadi, is controlled by the Islamic State extremist group.

Iraqi sources said on Tuesday that army units backed by the volunteer fighters in the first phase of the operation aim to retake the Tamim neighborhood, one kilometer from the center of Ramadi.

The sectarian conflict gripping Iraq, mostly between the Sunni minority and the now dominant Shi’ites, has been exacerbated by the rise of the ultra-hardline Sunni militants of Islamic State. No further instructions or details were given.

Meanwhile, the US-led coalition has carried out at least seven air strikes near Ramadi over the weekend, targeting key positions and weapon caches of IS militants.