23 IS militants killed in clashes, airstrikes in Iraq

A total of 23 Islamic State (IS) terrorists were killed on Saturday in clashes with Iraqi security forces and in air strikes, as troops continue battles to liberate a town in Iraq's western province of Anbar, security sources said.

Security forces and allied paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters fought fierce battles with IS terrorists on Saturday, as part of their offensive to drive out IS terrorists from the town of Heet, 160 km west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The troops extended their grip and took control of al-Zaytoon area in the southern par to of Heet, Xinhua quoted the the source as saying.

However, sporadic clashes continued to clear remaining districts held by IS terrorists in the western parts of the town, the source added.

During the past few days, troops have been advancing slowly in the battleground town in order to give opportunity to thousands of civilians trapped in Heet to flee their homes.

Separately, US-led coalition aircraft bombarded IS position in Jazira area near the town of Khaldiyah, some 80 km west of Baghdad, leaving 17 IS terrorists killed, the source said.

Meanwhile, 12 soldiers were killed when a suicide car bomber detonated an explosive-laden car near a security position in Albu Bali area east of the provincial capital city Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, the source added.