The Iraqi army has repelled an ISIL attack on a government building in violence-ravaged Anbar Province.According to Iraqi security sources on Thursday, army troops, backed by armed local tribesmen, successfully defended a government headquarters against an ISIL offensive in the central Iraqi city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province.
"We were able to stop the militants from advancing in the government complex," said Iraqi army Colonel Haytham al-Daraji.
Four Iraqi soldiers lost their lives and 21 were wounded in the defense operations against the ISIL terrorist assault, Daraji added.
Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Dulaimi, Anbars governer, cautioned that the fight against ISIL forces in the province is of grave strategic importance.
"If we lose Anbar, that means we will lose Iraq, Dulaimi stated.
Anbar Province, which borders conflict-ravaged Syria, has been a major stronghold of the ISIL Takfiri militants and continues to be largely controlled by the terror group.
The ISIL terrorists control large areas across northern and western Iraq as well as eastern Syria.
The Takfiri militants have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations, against Iraqi communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.
New figures released by the United Nations show that violence in Iraq claimed more than 1,270 lives in October alone.
Baghdad holds some regional Arab states accountable for financial and ideological support for terrorist groups in Iraq.
By Press TV
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