The US military says coalition forces have staged 22 air strikes on self-proclaimed Islamic State targets since Friday.<br /><br /> The strikes included four near Ramadi, the Iraqi city taken by ISIL earlier this month.<br /><br /> A fightback against the Sunni jihadists has been launched involving an offensive by 2,000-3,000 mostly Shi’ite pro-government militias east of Ramadi. <br /><br /> A leading Sunni Iraqi figure has called for a bridge he claims was closed by the authorities to be re-opened to allow displaced people to reach Baghdad.<br /><br /> The past few days have seen tens of thousands flee Ramadi and the violence in Anbar province. <br /><br /> There have been fears that militants might be hidden in the crowds, but the government waived restrictions and granted them entry on condition that each family should have a sponsor.<br /><br /> Some said they had no belongings and had to sleep outside.<br /><br /> Following ISIL’s seizure of Palmyra in Syria, the UN Security Council said it was particularly worried about the fate of women and child
