Iraqi forces kill 40 militants

Iraqi security forces killed 40 militants in fierce clashes near the capital Baghdad, the country's interior ministry said Thursday.

The security forces foiled an attempt by Al Qaeda-linked militant groups to storm a military base in Dwiyliba area outside the town of Yousifiyah, some 25 km south of Baghdad, Xinhua reported citing the ministry.

One army officer was killed in the battle, which also resulted in the seizing of two heavy machine-guns, 15 rifles and five grenade launchers.

Iraq is witnessing the worst violence after police dismantled an anti-government protest site outside Ramadi in late December last year. Fierce clashes have since flared up in Anbar province in the west of the country.