article_snippet.sent: According to Iraqi officials, ISIS fighters have nearly surrounded the capital of western Anbar province, despite the best efforts of the Iraqi army and arriving Shiite paramilitary reinforcements.
article_snippet.sent: The advance is widely seen as an ISIS's attempt at an counteroffensive after being forced to abandon the important Iraqi city of Tikrit, earlier this month.
article_snippet.sent: Iraqi government forces still control the city center but appear to be struggling after months of ISIS pressure from the suburbs of the important Iraqi city of Tikrit.
article_snippet.sent: Video obtained by The Associated Press showed plumes of thick, black smoke billowing above the important Iraqi city of Tikrit as fighter jets pounded militant targets.  
article_snippet.sent: Officials confirmed that US led coalition air strikes had targeted the three villages recently taken by ISIS on Wednesday.
article_snippet.sent: Iraqi forces have been assisted by US led coalition air strikes, which targeted three villages recently captured by ISIS.
highlights_snippet.sent: Months of ISIS pressure has left Iraqi forces outnumbered inside ISIS .
  