At least 12 IS militants killed in clashes with security forces in Iraq's Anbar

At least 12 IS militants killed in clashes with security forces in Iraq's Anbar

BAGHDAD, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 militants from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group were killed in clashes with Iraqi security forces in Iraq's western province of Anbar on Sunday, while a U.S.-led coalition air strike destroyed a vehicle bomb factory, a provincial security source said.

In the early morning hours, fierce clashes erupted in Fallujah University compound and the nearby Haiyakel area, just south of the IS-held city of Fallujah, which located some 50 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The several-hour battle resulted in the killing of 12 IS militants and the destroying of several of their vehicles, the source said without giving details about the casualties among the security forces.

Separately, international warplanes carried out an air strike on a house in central Fallujah believed to be a car bomb factory, destroying four car bombs inside and killing unknown number of IS militants, the source said citing intelligence reports.

Iraqi security forces and allied Hashd Shaabi paramilitary militias have been fighting for months to retake control of key cities and towns in Iraq's largest province from IS militants, which seized most of Anbar and tried to advance toward Baghdad. Enditem