IS pushes for control of Iraq's Anbar province

The Islamic State (IS, formerly known as Isis) intensified its attacks in the province of Anbar, western Iraq, on Tuesday, in attempts to seize the city.

Mohammad Karbouli, an MP for Iraq's Anbar province, told al-Araby al-Jadeed that the group was intending to advance towards the centre of Anbar, targeting areas nearby including the Japanese Bridge, the judicial complex and Anbar's largest city, Ramadi.

Karbouli added that there were clashes early morning, but the tribesmen were able to "thwart the attack".

Sheikh Ahmad al-Dulaimi from the Anbar Tribal Council said that progress had been slow.

"For several months now, there has been no liberation of any land in Anbar, although the tribesmen are trying to keep control of the region," he said adding that they lacked weapons and support.

He called on the government to provide additional assistance.

Dulaimi also warned of the "dangerous" implications of IS gaining hold of the Sjaria area of Ramadi, stating that it could lead to the collapse of the entire province.

The city has seen heavy fighting between security forces and IS, which spearheaded a sweeping offensive last June that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad.

On Monday, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warned of humanitarian issues in the region, stating that the ongoing conflict in Anbar was causing fresh displacement with more than 380,000 currently internally displaced.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.