DHAKA: A day after Islamic State (IS) militants completed their capture of Ramadi, Shia militias are assembling east of the Iraqi city ready for a possible counter-attack.

Iraqi state TV described columns of tanks and other military vehicles entering al-Habbaniyah military camp.

The Iraqi government called for help from the Iran-backed militias after the military was routed on Sunday.

About 500 people died in the city, only 70 miles west of Baghdad.

Shia forces at Habbaniya, about 20km from Ramadi, were ‘now on standby’, Anbar provincial council head Sabah Karhout was quoted by the media as saying, reports the BBC.

In a statement, the council said about 3,000 Shia fighters had arrived in Anbar to take part in ‘the liberation of all Ramadi areas in which IS militants took positions’.

The US has said it is confident the capture of Ramadi can be reversed.

BDST: 1804 HRS, MAY 18, 2015
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