Iraqi forces fighting to reverse surprise ISIS attack on Abu Gharib

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region- Clashes continue between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the town of Abu Gharib west of the capital Baghdad, said the town mayor on Sunday.
 
Abu Gharib mayor Othman al-Mazidi said that fighting erupted when a number of ISIS militants infiltrated the town and tried to capture the main silo.
 
The security forces foiled the plan, he said, but fighting still continues.
 
Mazidi added that parts of the silo were burnt in the ensuing battle, but no casualties occurred.
 
“The fight is still on between the Iraqi security forces and ISIS but the security forces will capture the town in a few hours,” the mayor reported.
 
Sunday’s fighting started with an attack on the town’s main police headquarter.
 
ISIS militants reached the town of Abu Gharib and the outskirts of Baghdad in the summer 2014 before they were repelled by Iraqi forces and direct air support of US helicopter gunships.