ANBAR, Iraq

ISIL launched a counter-attack on Thursday, resulting in it controlling two areas in the western Iraqi province of Anbar. 

The areas are close to Baghdadi town, located around 13 miles west of Hit city in Anbar governorate.

ISIL besieged around 450 Sunni tribal fighters in the region, a security source said.

“ISIL militants moved with a group of armored vehicles and tanks from Hit city while taking Al-Jazeera road and managed to trap 450 fighters after controlling the Mahbubiya and Gurna areas,” the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Anadolu Agency.

Iraqi armed forces had started a military operation against ISIL in Anbar province on Thursday morning, according to Malullah Al-Abeedy, a government official.

The operation aimed to retake Hit city which is controlled by ISIL. Police and pro-government tribal fighters supported the Iraqi military forces.

The rate of armed conflict has increased during the past four months between ISIL and Iraqi security forces in Anbar province. 

ISIL controls many areas of the governate and is attempting to completely control the provincial capital, Ramadi city.

The U.S. is leading an international coalition which has carried out numerous airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria since the militant group overran Mosul, in northern Iraq, in June.

www.aa.com.tr/en