State TV: Iraq Shiite militias ordered to prepare for Anbar

Iraq security forces withdraw from Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Sunday, May 17, 2015. Suicide car bomb attacks killed over 10 members of Iraqi security forces Sunday in Ramadi, which now is largely held by the Islamic State group, authorities said. Last week, the militants swept through Ramadi, seizing the main government headquarters and other key parts of the city. It marked a major setback for the Iraqi government's efforts to drive the militants out of areas they seized last year. (AP Photo) Iraq security forces withdraw from Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Sunday, May 17, 2015. Suicide car bomb attacks killed over 10 members of Iraqi security forces Sunday in Ramadi, which now is largely held by the Islamic State group, authorities said. Last week, the militants swept through Ramadi, seizing the main government headquarters and other key parts of the city. It marked a major setback for the Iraqi government's efforts to drive the militants out of areas they seized last year. (AP Photo)

By Associated Press May 17, 2015 1 min read

BAGHDAD (AP) – Iraqi state television is reporting the country’s prime minister has ordered Shiite militias to be prepared to go into Anbar province, where the Islamic State group has forced some security forces into a retreat.

State TV says Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi made the order Sunday. It did not elaborate.

Anbar province is primarily Sunni and many worried sending Shiite militias into the region could spark greater outrage among those still there.

Already Sunday, coordinated suicide bomb attacks targeted Iraiq forces in Ramadi, the provincial capital. Some Iraqi forces apparently retreated from the Islamic State militants, leaving behind weapons and vehicles.