ISIS takes new territory in simultaneous attacks in Anbar, local tribes fight back

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region -Islamic State (ISIS) militants attacked several villages and towns in Western Anbar province on Sunday, capturing new territory before being pushed back by security forces and local tribes.

In a number of simultaneous attacks the militants overran the towns of Perawan and Baghdadi near Haditha and Hit.

An Anbar government official said that the militants were fought back by the army and tribal fighters in some areas and driven out of Baghdadi.

Khalid Salman, head of the Haditha district council said that 12 explosive-laden ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the confrontations.  Five militants were killed and at least 30 others wounded, he added.

"The attacks were launched through car bombs and suicide bombers and the militants managed to infiltrate parts of Perwana township but they were repulsed by the security forces and tribal militants." Brig. and Anbar provincial council spokesman Amash Karbouli told Rudaw.

Karbouli said local forces launched their own counteroffensive to retake areas captured by the ISIS militants.

Warplanes from the US-led coalition and Iraqi jets joined the local attempt to reclaim the lost territories.

Sunday's attacks by ISIS comes less than a week after Iraqi forces drove the group out of the city of Ramadi