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| Iraq militants 'still control parts of western cities' | Iraq militants 'still control parts of western cities' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda are reportedly still in control of parts of two cities in western Iraq. | |
| There has been fierce fighting in recent days as government forces have tried to force militants aligned to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) out of Ramadi and Fallujah. | There has been fierce fighting in recent days as government forces have tried to force militants aligned to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) out of Ramadi and Fallujah. |
| An AFP news agency journalist told the BBC that black flags used by jihadists were still flying in both cities. | An AFP news agency journalist told the BBC that black flags used by jihadists were still flying in both cities. |
| Clashes erupted on Monday after troops dismantled a protest camp in Ramadi. | Clashes erupted on Monday after troops dismantled a protest camp in Ramadi. |
| Local Sunni Arabs had been demonstrating for months against what they perceive as discrimination by the Shia-led government and unfair targeting of their minority community by anti-terrorism measures implemented to stem the surge in sectarian violence. | Local Sunni Arabs had been demonstrating for months against what they perceive as discrimination by the Shia-led government and unfair targeting of their minority community by anti-terrorism measures implemented to stem the surge in sectarian violence. |
| But Prime Minister Nouri Maliki ordered that the sit-in be cleared, alleging it had "turned into a headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda". | But Prime Minister Nouri Maliki ordered that the sit-in be cleared, alleging it had "turned into a headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda". |
| 'Peaceful takeover' | 'Peaceful takeover' |
| On Tuesday, Mr Maliki agreed to withdraw the army from towns and cities in Anbar province so that the police could resume control of security. | On Tuesday, Mr Maliki agreed to withdraw the army from towns and cities in Anbar province so that the police could resume control of security. |
| But as soon as soldiers left their posts, militants aligned to al-Qaeda appeared on the streets of Ramadi, Fallujah and Tarmiya, storming police stations, freeing prisoners and seizing weapons. | But as soon as soldiers left their posts, militants aligned to al-Qaeda appeared on the streets of Ramadi, Fallujah and Tarmiya, storming police stations, freeing prisoners and seizing weapons. |
| The prime minister reversed his decision the next day, sending soldiers back to Anbar and offering tribal leaders weapons and money in return for helping combat the militants. | The prime minister reversed his decision the next day, sending soldiers back to Anbar and offering tribal leaders weapons and money in return for helping combat the militants. |
| On Thursday, police and pro-government tribesmen battled ISIS and its allies for control of Ramadi and Fallujah. Hospitals reported that at least 35 people were killed and 70 wounded. | On Thursday, police and pro-government tribesmen battled ISIS and its allies for control of Ramadi and Fallujah. Hospitals reported that at least 35 people were killed and 70 wounded. |
| Militants raised black flags on buildings in both cities and used the loudspeakers of mosques to call on people to join their struggle and support a "peaceful takeover". | Militants raised black flags on buildings in both cities and used the loudspeakers of mosques to call on people to join their struggle and support a "peaceful takeover". |
| On Friday, a police officer told the AFP news agency that fighters from ISIS had advanced into new areas of Ramadi after early morning clashes in the city centre and deployed snipers on one street. | On Friday, a police officer told the AFP news agency that fighters from ISIS had advanced into new areas of Ramadi after early morning clashes in the city centre and deployed snipers on one street. |
| There were conflicting reports about the fighting in Fallujah. One policeman told AFP that while about a quarter of the city remained under the control of the al-Qaeda, the army had re-entered several areas. However, a colleague said the army had yet to enter the city. | There were conflicting reports about the fighting in Fallujah. One policeman told AFP that while about a quarter of the city remained under the control of the al-Qaeda, the army had re-entered several areas. However, a colleague said the army had yet to enter the city. |
| There has been a surge in sectarian violence in Iraq since April, when there was a deadly crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in Hawija. | There has been a surge in sectarian violence in Iraq since April, when there was a deadly crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in Hawija. |
| Extremist Sunni militants subsequently stepped up attacks across the country, while Shia groups began deadly reprisals. | Extremist Sunni militants subsequently stepped up attacks across the country, while Shia groups began deadly reprisals. |
| On Wednesday, the United Nations said at least 7,818 civilians and 1,050 members of the security forces had been killed in 2013. | On Wednesday, the United Nations said at least 7,818 civilians and 1,050 members of the security forces had been killed in 2013. |
| The annual death toll was the highest in years, but still significantly below those recoded at the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007. | The annual death toll was the highest in years, but still significantly below those recoded at the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007. |