Shia militias are reportedly preparing to launch a counter-offensive against Islamic State (IS) militants, who had recently captured the Iraqi city of Ramadi.
In a statement, the Anbar Provincial Council said that about 3000 Shia fighters had arrived in Anbar and were "now on standby" at the Habbaniya military base to liberate "all Ramadi areas in which IS militants have taken positions."
According to the BBC, the Government of Iraq had sought aid from Iran-backed militias after their military was forced to retreat.
Meanwhile, a statement released by the IS has claimed that their fighters too were advancing towards the base.
About 550 people have been killed in recent clashes in Ramadi, which is located 70 miles west of Iraq's capital Baghdad.
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