Iraqi army battles Islamic State militants near Fallujah
BAGHDAD - Fierce clashes erupted northeast of Fallujah on Saturday between the Iraqi army and Islamic State militants following an ambush the day before that killed a general and staff officers.
Militants launched a complex attack Friday involving a bulldozer packed with explosives against a convoy as it approached an army camp, killing 1st Division commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Abbas Toufan and three staff officers in the Nadhem al-Taqseem region south of Lake Tharthar.
Ten soldiers also were killed and a dozen wounded in the attack which was against the nearby battalion headquarters as well, said Lt. Gen. Mohammed Khalaf al-Dulaimi of the Anbar operations command.
Troops, including tanks, have been rushed to the area and were fighting Saturday in this rural region dotted with small villages.
