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Iraq violence: Airstrike 'kills 25 militants' Iraq violence: Air strike 'kills 25 militants'
(about 2 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 air strike, 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. Residents told the BBC Iraqi special forces were also working with Sunni tribesmen to dislodge the militants.
The government lost control of Fallujah to al-Qaeda militants and allied Sunni Arab tribesmen at the weekend. Ramadi and the city of Fallujah have been infiltrated by an al-Qaeda-affiliated group known as ISIS.
Fighting in Anbar in recent days has led to some of the heaviest clashes in Iraq for years. But an assault on Fallujah has been delayed because of fears of civilian casualties.
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". The government lost control of Fallujah to ISIS - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - and allied Sunni Arab tribesmen at the weekend.
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. Hundreds of residents have been fleeing shelling and air strikes by government forces.
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.
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.
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.
Fighting in Anbar province in recent days has led to some of the heaviest clashes in Iraq for years.
Ramadi, the provincial capital, is reported to be under the control of powerful Sunni tribes working with local police to counter 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 ISIS presence.
One resident told the BBC Iraqi special forces were conducting hit-and-run operations in areas where the militants have taken refuge.
Giving details of the air strike in Ramadi, Mohammad al-Askari, spokesman for the Iraqi defence ministry said the air force had targeted vehicles carrying heavy weapons, killing 25 "armed men".
Sunni angerSunni 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 Prime Minister Nouri 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 US is accelerating the delivery 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. Additional surveillance drones will arrive within weeks and more Hellfire missiles 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.
In other violence in Iraq, a suicide bomber in a lorry killed at least two people and injured many more at a police station in the northern city of Kirkuk.