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Islamic State Suicide Attacks Kills 17 Iraqi Soldiers

The attacks came hours after the Iraqi government announced the beginning of an operation against the militant group in Anbar province.
Photo by Reuters

Islamic State (IS) launched a string of deadly suicide attacks against the Iraqi Army in Anbar province on Wednesday, just hours after the government announced a major operation aimed at regaining territory in the province held by the militant group.

The attacks killed 17 Iraqi soldiers and took place in the IS-held city of Fallujah, located about 40 miles west of Baghdad, Iraqi Military spokesman Brig. General Saad Maan Ibrahim told the Associated Press. The spokesman said it was unclear how many assailants were involved, but that the violence was waged from multiple directions and targeted a water control station, as well as a canal lock system from the Euphrates River. A sandstorm reportedly provided the opportunity for the militants to wage the attack.

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On Tuesday, the Iraqi military said it had launched an offensive to regain control of Anbar's provincial capital Ramadi, which lies to the west of Fallujah and was overtaken by IS on May 18. An official military video released today claimed to show "remarkable victories on the ground" in the city.

Related: Beheaded Corpses Said to be Lining Streets of Ancient City Seized by Islamic State

Recapturing control of Anbar province is seen as essential in order to regain momentum in the fight against IS. The military mission is believed to be backed by Shiite militias and Sunni pro-government fighters.

Despite months of US-led airstrikes in IS strongholds in Iraq and Syria, the militants managed to gain control of both Ramadi and the Syrian town of Palmyra in recent weeks. US Air Force spokesman Capt. Andrew Caulk told the AP the coalition would continue to provide air support to government-controlled forces throughout in Iraq, including near Ramadi.

Syria's foreign minister Walid al-Moallem said he was not holding out hope for the coalition airstrikes, noting that the campaign had "evaporated" after the airstrikes helped Kurdish forces in keeping IS from capturing the border town of Kobane. He used the Palmyra siege as an example, claiming the US took no action to prevent it.

"We're not pinning any hopes on that alliance and anyone who does is living an illusion," al-Moallem added.

Separately, Syrian activists reported on Wednesday that IS had released two elderly Christian women who had been held in the northeastern part of the country since February. The 70 and 75-year-old women were two of more than 220 Assyrian Christians kidnapped from several farming communities. While some captives were released previously, Assyrian Network for Human Rights Director Osama Edwards told the AP that around 210 are still being held captive, with IS demanding $100,000 for each hostage.

Watch the VICE News documentary about Syria's rebel advance

The Associated Press contributed to this report.