Iraqi officials say 23 government soldiers and allied Sunni fighters have been killed in a clash with Islamic State militants in the western province of Anbar.
Officials say the clash began on the morning of January 6 when a suicide bomber targeted a gathering of pro-government Sunni fighters near the town of al-Baghdadi, about 180 kilometers northwest of Baghdad.
The suicide bombing was followed by a ground assault by IS militants against nearby army and police positions.
Authorities said 28 government troops and allied Sunni fighters were wounded in the clash.
They did not provide casualty figures for IS militants.
In Salahuddin Province to the north of Baghdad, where government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters continue on offensive launched against the Sunni-led extremists, militants said they killed eight men for allegedly helping government troops and international air strikes against the group.
