DHAKA: Fighters from the Islamic State (IS) of Iraq and Syria group killed 18 Iraqi soldiers in a suicide car attack north of Ramadi, continuing their counter-assault after being driven from the city by Iraqi Security Forces last month.

Military sources told Al Jazeera that Tuesday morning’s attack took place in the town of Al-Bu Dhiaab, just a few kilometers north of Anbar province’s capital.

Three IS suicide bombers attempted to attack members of the 39th brigade of the 10th army division, but two of their vehicles were demolished by anti-tank missiles, the military sources said.

The third bomber, however, managed to make his way to the gate of the army’s headquarters and detonate the explosives, killing at least 18 soldiers.

‘This is a major blow for the Iraqi Security Force. The north of Ramadi was supposed to be secure,’ said Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from Baghdad.

Khan said that it was too early to say that IS’s recent attacks against Iraqi forces around Ramadi could be labeled a ‘resurgence’.

‘What we do know is that IS is able to mount attacks because they are a lot more nimble,’ he said.

The Iraqi army declared Ramadi liberated in early January after a major offensive reclaimed government offices in the city centre.

BDST: 1900 HRS, FEB 02, 2016
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