The latest on developments in Iraq where Iraqi forces and their allies launched a major offensive this week to retake Mosul, the country’s second-largest city from the Islamic State group (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

An Iraqi military spokesman says troops have repelled an attack by the Islamic State group on a western town, describing it as a bid to divert attention from the massive military operation to retake the IS-held city of Mosul in the north.

The spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, says IS militants attacked Rutba, in the sprawling desert province of Anbar, early Sunday. He says at least three suicide car bombs were blown up before reaching their targets and some militants were killed. He declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed.

Read more- ABC News

Image courtesy of the Associated Press