IS suicide car bombs target Iraqi troops in Ramadi

Iraq’s military says Islamic State militants have launched suicide attacks in the western city of Ramadi days after its troops drove them out of the city.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Belawi told the Associated Press on Saturday that the militants stuck security forces the day before with seven suicide car bombs in two areas on the city’s outskirts.

Al-Belawi says there are casualties among the government troops, but could not provide a specific figure. He says the troops repelled the attacks and did not lose territory.

Ramadi, the provincial capital of the sprawling Anbar province, fell to IS in May, marking a major setback for U.S.-backed Iraqi forces.

Iraqi troops retook the city centre on Monday, but insurgents are still holed up in parts of the city.