Security forces defend their headquarters against Islamic State extremists during a sandstorm in Ramadi. (AP)

Islamic State militants have captured the main government compound in Ramadi after fierce clashes with Iraqi security forces, officials said.

The city’s mayor Dalaf al-Kubaisi said the militants raised the black flag of IS over the area after troops were forced to withdraw from the compound, which houses most of the city’s government offices.

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The Iraqi military said Wednesday that ISIS’ No. 2 leader has been killed in a coalition airstrike — a claim that the Pentagon said it does not corroborate.

The airstrike struck northern Iraq’s Tal Afar city, killing ISIS deputy Abu Alaa al-Afri and a senior ISIS security figure named Akram Qirbash, also known as the “Judge of Judges,” the Iraqi Defense Ministry said.

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Kurdish forces of Peshmerga thwarted an attack by the Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Shingal, a Peshmerga official said.

The IS militants launched an assault on the Peshmerga forces in the town of Shingal, but the Kurdish forces foiled the attack, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Fars News agency reported.

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Syrian government helicopters dropped leaflets over a northwestern town held by Muslim militants Sunday, calling on fighters to surrender and residents to stay away from militant positions as battles intensified nearby, Syrian state TV said.

The warning came as state media and activists said government forces are on the offensive in the outskirts of the town of Jisr al-Shughour, adding that troops have closed all roads leading to the town — which was captured by Muslim militants late last month.

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Yemen’s Houthi forces accepted a five-day humanitarian ceasefire proposed by Saudi Arabia, the spokesman for the Yemeni army said.

The truce that will allow humanitarian aid in the war-torn country is expected to begin at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

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