IS, Iraqi troops lock horns in fierce battle to claim Anbar's capital city

A fierce clash between the Islamic State (IS) militants and Iraqi troops is raging just a few feet away from the main government complex of Anbar province in the heart of the capital city of Ramadi, a report said.

The battle is taking place just 1,000 feet away from the complex that houses the regional government and security headquarters, reported the CNN.

The clashes began on Friday after IS launched a coordinated attack on the city from different directions. Almost 37 people have been killed in the fighting, authorities said.

The terror group controls most of Anbar province. If they are able to seize Ramadi, then the IS will tighten its grip on large swathes of territory starting from the western outskirts of Baghdad north through Syria and to the Turkish border.