Al-Qaeda-linked group claims to have taken control of Iraq's Fallujah

ANBAR

The Al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as Daesh, claimed on Wednesday to have taken control of Iraq's western city of Fallujah.

Daesh members used loudspeakers to proclaim their control over the Sunni-majority city, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter.

They also appealed to local police to join tribesmen fighting government forces,offering an amnesty to"whoever has wronged group members."

Meanwhile, armed tribesmen stormed the city's main police headquarters and freed all detainees, a security source said.

Tribesmen and Daesh militants also seized control of government buildings and local mosques, according to the source.

Government officials could not be reached for comment on the group's claims.

The predominantly-Sunni Anbar province has recently been the scene of mounting violence between army troops and armed Sunni tribesman.

Violence erupted in the province earlier this week when government troops moved in to evict a months-old sit-in staged by tribesmen opposed to the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Protesters had accused the government of anti-Sunni discrimination and had called for its dismissal.

By Suleiman al-Qobaysi

englishnews@aa.com.tr