IS target Iraqi-Saudi border town with suicide attacks

The Islamic State group (IS) on Monday carried out multiple suicide attacks against an Iraqi army base in the western town of al-Nukhaib, in Anbar province, close to Iraq's border with Saudi Arabia according to security sources.

Local security sources told The New Arab that IS suicide bombers driving vehicles laden with explosives rammed the army base that is located 20km from the Iraqi border with Saudi Arabia.

The attack resulted in a number of fatalities among Iraqi forces and members of the Popular Mobilisation Units, according to local sources however the exact number remains unclear.

"The attack resulted in the destruction of several army vehicles and the seizure of weapons and rockets by IS fighters," said a security source who wished to remain anonymous.

Local media has reported that the attack that began with heavy rocket fire against the army base lasted for two hours, while the base was not able to receive aerial reinforcements and support due to bad weather conditions.

IS has intensified suicide attacks against Iraqi security forces across Anbar and Salahuddin provinces since losing the city of Ramadi last month.

On Sunday several IS suicide attackers infiltrated a base near Tikrit in Salahuddin province following similar attacks in Anbar province.

The suicide bombers targeted a police force from Nineveh, the northern province of which Mosul is the capital, which was undergoing training at the Speicher military base in Tikrit.

Iraqi security sources told The New Arab seven suicide bombers were able to infiltrate the base "during the morning roll count of troops and trainees inside the camp."

IS is trying to expand its attacks and move the battle from Ramadi in Anbar province to Salahuddin province, "taking advantage of the common borders and wide desert area between the two provinces," according to Iraqi security sources.