(MENAFN- Arab News) BAGHDAD: The western Iraqi city of Ramadi on Sunday fell to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria after the militants relentlessly bombarded the capital of the Anbar province with suicide bombers.
A message from the terror group claimed it held the entire city of Ramadi after Iraqi forces fled.
The message came after Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi ordered his security forces not to abandon their positions. Some troops left their weapons and vehicles behind to flee the militants.
The message said militants held the 8th Brigade army base as well as tanks and missile launchers left behind by fleeing soldiers.
The premier also ordered Shiite militias to prepare to go into the Sunni-dominated region ignoring worries their presence could spark sectarian bloodshed apparently over fears the extremists could seize the province.
Police and army officials said four nearly simultaneous bombings targeted police officers defending the Malaab district in southern Ramadi killing 10 and wounding 15.