Despite claims by the Iraqi government they were about to launch an offensive to dislodge al-Qaeda from Fallujah and Ramadi, it never happened and both remain under al-Qaeda control.

Via Al Arabiya:

Gunmen seized part of Sulaiman Bek town and nearby villages in northern Iraq on Thursday, Agence France-Presse reported local officials as saying.

This is considered to be the latest instance of authorities losing ground to militants, who have held all of the city of Fallujah and parts of provincial capital Ramadi for weeks.

Fallujah and Ramadi are parts of the western province of Anbar. Iraqi security forces and allied Sunni tribal militias are battling al-Qaeda-linked militants who have seized significant areas in Anbar since late December.

Sulaiman Bek, meanwhile, has been previously targeted by Sunni militants, who last year executed 14 Shiite truck drivers on a nearby highway and also temporarily held territory.

The latest flareup began with attacks by militants armed with light and medium weapons on army positions before they overran the town center early Thursday, local official Talib al-Bayati said.

Some called over mosque loudspeakers for residents to leave, Bayati said, adding that the army had now surrounded the area and helicopters were flying overhead.

Another local official, Shallal Abdul Baban, said militants were in control of western Sulaiman Bek and three nearby villages.

He reported sporadic clashes in the area, and said that two police had been wounded.