Iraqi forces backed by Sunni tribesmen continue to pound al-Qaeda militants and anti-government insurgents in the central cities of Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar province.

It appears that government troops have regained control of Ramadi after heavy fighting over the weekend that left scores dead.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vowed to defeat all “terrorist groups” at work in the country and called on those opposed to the government not to back an al-Qaeda led rebellion.

Officials in Baghdad say the main area of conflict has moved to Fallujah with the Iraqi military confident it will regain control of the city over the next 48 hours.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has pledged support for Maliki’s government, but that support would not include US troops on the ground.