Iraqi forces backed by Sunni tribesmen continue to pound al-Qaeda militants and anti-government insurgents in the central cities of Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar province.<br /><br />It appears that government troops have regained control of Ramadi after heavy fighting over the weekend that left scores dead. <br /><br />Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vowed to defeat all “terrorist groups” at work in the country and called on those opposed to the government not to back an al-Qaeda led rebellion.<br /><br />Officials in Baghdad say the main area of conflict has moved to Fallujah with the Iraqi military confident it will regain control of the city over the next 48 hours.<br /><br />US Secretary of State John Kerry has pledged support for Maliki’s government, but that support would not include US troops on the ground.
