Ramadi, August 26 (RHC)-- A suspected Daesh militant has rammed a car bomb into a military convoy near the western Iraqi city of Ramadi, killing over a dozen government troops and allied volunteer fighters.

Officials said on Tuesday the perpetrator used an explosive-laden army vehicle in the attack which killed 13 army and volunteer forces who were advancing on Daesh-held Ramadi, which is the provincial capital of al-Anbar.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media, added that seven people were wounded in the bomb attack. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the bombing which featured all the signs of an attack carried out by Daesh Takfiri militants who are controlling Ramadi and most of the province.

Government troops and volunteer forces have been battling Daesh militants in Anbar in an attempt to push the militants back from areas under their control. Iraqi media sources reported nearly two weeks ago that army forces, backed by Popular Mobilization Units and tribal fighters, were closing in on Ramadi from three directions.