Iraqi forces repel four IS attacks, foil suicide bomb threats

Baghdad, March 22 (IANS) Iraqi security forces repelled four attacks by Islamic State (IS) terrorists on Monday, killing 17 suicide bombers, according to both security sources and a government statement.

Four suicide bombers drove their explosive-laden vehicles close to the security forces' posts in the area of Albu Obied in Iraq's western province of Anbar, 110 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The troops shot the attackers, destroying three car bombs with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) before reaching the first defence line, while the fourth vehicle exploded close to the troops, killing six soldiers and injuring another five, said the source.

Concurrently, the US-led coalition warplanes executed its air strikes against IS posts in Albu Obied, killing 15 terrorists and obliterating eight of their vehicles, added the source.

Also in Anbar, IS terrorists drove five suicide bomb-laden trucks into a military post east of the town of al-Baghdadi, 190 km northwest of Baghdad, however the troops and Iraqi aircraft conquered them before they reached the defence line, said the source.

Following the attempted suicide attacks, heavy clashes took place between dozens of IS terrorists as they stormed the very same military post, where they were yet again repelled by the troops, during which 17 IS terrorists were killed along with eight security members, added the source.

Meanwhile, paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, repelled an IS attack In Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, as three suicide car bombs attacked military posts west of the town of Seiniyah, which is also west of the Baji oil refinery town, 200 km north of Baghdad.

In addition, security forces foiled an IS attack in northern Iraq, as army patrols ambushed five suicide bombers, killing them before they attacked the targeted town of Makhmour, 50 km southeast of the IS-held city of Mosul, the capital of the province of Nineveh, said the Iraqi Defence Ministry in a statement.