Attack foiled on road security deployment west of Ramadi

Ramadi (IraqiNews.com) A security force thwarted an attack by Islamic State militants on a road security unit west of Anbar, security sources were quoted saying Wednesday.

Alsumaria News, quoting the sources, said the attack targeted a security deployment at the “140th Kilometer” region at a highway west of the city of Ramadi.

The security force seized a vehicle used by the attackers that was laden with RPG missiles, according to the source.

The attack comes as Islamic State militants escalate assaults on government and paramilitary forces in Anbar, especially at al-Rutba region, leaving several personnel dead. Ten soldiers were killed on Tuesday and six were wounded in an Islamic State attack that targeted an army checkpoint in Rutba. Several other army members died in April in occasional attacks.

Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition fighter jets have regularly pounded locations held by the Islamic State at the stronghold towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa, west of Anbar. killing dozens of militants. Thousands of civilians are thought to be held in Islamic State captivity at those locations. Iraqi defense officials say they will launch a major security offensive in Anbar once they is done with their U.S.-backed campaign to drive out IS from Mosul, the group’s principal stronghold in Iraq, which has been running since October 2016.

On Wednesday, Ramadi’s mayor, Ibrahim al-Janabi, told Iraqi network NRT that security challenge persist in the province with the escalation of IS attacks. He said getting over those challenges remain contingent upon securing the highway linking Iraq and Jordan.

“Islamic State attacks against security forces will continue if borders with Syria are not closed completely.”