Iraq: Suicide attacks, clashes near Fallujah kill 17 troops

At least 17 troops were killed in an attack launched by Islamic State militants on government troops outside the militant-held city of Fallujah on Sunday.

At least 17 troops were killed in an attack launched by Islamic State militants on government troops outside the militant-held city of Fallujah on Sunday.

The Iraqi police officer and an army officer said three suicide attackers drove explosives-laden military vehicles into government forces' barricades outside Fallujah, west of Baghdad, on Sunday, after which clashes broke out.

The officials said 15 other troops were wounded. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Backed by Shiite and Sunni paramilitary forces, Iraqi government forces last month launched a wide-scale military operation to dislodge militants from Fallujah and other key cities in Anbar province.