Bomb attack kills three in Iraq’s Ramadi

Three people have been killed in a bomb attack that struck tribal fighters supporting Iraqi government troops in the western province of Anbar.

The incident occurred on late Thursday when a bomber targeted a gathering of the anti-al-Qaeda group Sahwa in the provincial capital, Ramadi.

At least five others were also injured in the attack.

The Sunni group has supported Iraqi government forces to battle and drive out al-Qaeda-linked militants who have also been wreaking havoc on neighboring Syria.

Fighting erupted in Ramadi on December 30, 2013, when security forces cleared a protest camp used by the al-Qaeda-linked militants.

The violence spread to Fallujah, and militants moved in and seized the city and parts of Ramadi after security forces withdrew under pressure from Sunni lawmakers.

Officials said the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant remains in control of large swathes of Ramadi and the whole of the nearby city of Fallujah, farther east.

The Takfiri extremists frequently target civilians and security forces in an attempt to undermine people’s confidence in the government and incite sectarian violence.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to rid Fallujah of the al-Qaeda-affiliated militants without a military assault.

Maliki said he intends to give local tribesmen time to clear the area of the militants to avoid civilian casualties.