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| Iraq violence: Airstrike 'kills 25 militants' | Iraq violence: Airstrike 'kills 25 militants' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Iraqi troops have killed 25 al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Ramadi in an airstrike, the government says as it battles militants in Anbar province. | Iraqi troops have killed 25 al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Ramadi in an airstrike, the government says as it battles militants in Anbar province. |
| However an assault on Fallujah has been delayed because of fears over civilian casualties, the defence ministry says. | However an assault on Fallujah has been delayed because of fears over civilian casualties, the defence ministry says. |
| The government lost control of Fallujah to al-Qaeda militants and allied Sunni Arab tribesmen at the weekend. | The government lost control of Fallujah to al-Qaeda militants and allied Sunni Arab tribesmen at the weekend. |
| Fighting in Anbar in recent days has led to some of the heaviest clashes in Iraq for years. | Fighting in Anbar in recent days has led to some of the heaviest clashes in Iraq for years. |
| Mohammad al-Askari, spokesman for the Iraqi defence ministry, told local media that the Iraqi air force had targeted vehicles in Ramadi carrying heavy weapons with a missile strike, killing 25 "armed men". | Mohammad al-Askari, spokesman for the Iraqi defence ministry, told local media that the Iraqi air force had targeted vehicles in Ramadi carrying heavy weapons with a missile strike, killing 25 "armed men". |
| Ramadi is reported to be under the control of powerful Sunni tribes working with local police to counter the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - known as ISIS. | Ramadi is reported to be under the control of powerful Sunni tribes working with local police to counter the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - known as ISIS. |
| Despite long-standing grievances against the central Shia-led government, the Ramadi tribes have renewed a pact with senior Iraqi army leaders to dislodge any presence of al-Qaeda. | Despite long-standing grievances against the central Shia-led government, the Ramadi tribes have renewed a pact with senior Iraqi army leaders to dislodge any presence of al-Qaeda. |
| However, much of Fallujah is reported to be controlled by ISIS, and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has urged residents to drive them out. | However, much of Fallujah is reported to be controlled by ISIS, and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has urged residents to drive them out. |
| On Monday, Mr Maliki said that if people in Fallujah expelled "terrorists", they would be spared military action. | On Monday, Mr Maliki said that if people in Fallujah expelled "terrorists", they would be spared military action. |
| It would ensure "their areas are not subjected to the danger of armed clashes", state television quoted him as saying. | It would ensure "their areas are not subjected to the danger of armed clashes", state television quoted him as saying. |
| Hundreds of Fallujah residents have already fled shelling and air strikes by government forces. | Hundreds of Fallujah residents have already fled shelling and air strikes by government forces. |
| At the same time, the militants have called on Sunni tribes in the area to support them and have urged families who have fled the city to return to their homes. | At the same time, the militants have called on Sunni tribes in the area to support them and have urged families who have fled the city to return to their homes. |
| Sunni anger | Sunni anger |
| The latest upsurge in violence began last month after troops broke up a protest camp by Sunni Arabs in Ramadi. | The latest upsurge in violence began last month after troops broke up a protest camp by Sunni Arabs in Ramadi. |
| Many Sunnis in Iraq claim they are being marginalised by Mr Maliki's Shia-led government. | Many Sunnis in Iraq claim they are being marginalised by Mr Maliki's Shia-led government. |
| BBC Middle East correspondent Jim Muir says Islamist militants have been able to benefit from those deep-seated grievances. | BBC Middle East correspondent Jim Muir says Islamist militants have been able to benefit from those deep-seated grievances. |
| Mr Maliki's drive to restore control is being seen by many Sunnis as an attempt at domination and oppression, and it is taking Iraq back to the brink of a sectarian civil war, he adds. | Mr Maliki's drive to restore control is being seen by many Sunnis as an attempt at domination and oppression, and it is taking Iraq back to the brink of a sectarian civil war, he adds. |
| After the 2003 US-led invasion, al-Qaeda based itself in Fallujah where several beheadings and killings of foreigners took place. | After the 2003 US-led invasion, al-Qaeda based itself in Fallujah where several beheadings and killings of foreigners took place. |
| Also on Monday, the US said it was speeding up the supply of military equipment to Iraq to help the government fight ISIS and other militant groups. | |
| The White House said additional surveillance drones would be delivered within weeks and more Hellfire missiles sent in the next few months. | The White House said additional surveillance drones would be delivered within weeks and more Hellfire missiles sent in the next few months. |
| Correspondents say that despite withdrawing from Iraq at the end of 2011, the US remains a key security partner, providing more than $14bn (£8bn) worth of weapons to Baghdad since 2005. | Correspondents say that despite withdrawing from Iraq at the end of 2011, the US remains a key security partner, providing more than $14bn (£8bn) worth of weapons to Baghdad since 2005. |