Baghdad: Sunni Muslim militants took control of most of the western Iraqi town of Heet in Anbar province early on Thursday, security sources and local officials said.
"Ninety per cent of the town of Heet has been overrun by militants," said Adnan al-Fahdawi, a provincial council member, adding the attackers were better armed than local security forces.
An eyewitness speaking from Heet told Reuters: "Scores of militants can be seen in the town with their vehicles and weapons; I can hear shooting now everywhere".
The security sources said they believed the attackers were Islamic State fighters, who struck first with three suicide car bombs at the eastern entrance to Heet and a police station in the town.
Initial reports from Heet hospital sources said six people, including one civilian, were killed and 12 people were wounded.
Soldiers, police and local Sunni Muslim fighters were trying to stem the militant advances, the security sources said. Most of the surrounding towns in Anbar province have already fallen under Islamic State control.
