Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — The Sunni revolt in Iraq has expanded.

Officials said the Al Qaida-aligned Sunni revolt has gone beyond Iraq’s largest province Anbar.

The officials said Sunni fighters, believed directed by Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, have deployed to the provinces of Diyala, Mosul and Salah Eddin.

“The terrorists are trying to disrupt the [Iraq] Army offensive in Anbar by moving to other provinces,” an official said.

On Feb. 5, officials said, Sunni forces captured at least three villages outside Anbar. They said the Sunnis consisted of ISIL fighters as well as members of Saudi-financed tribes from Anbar.

The Baghdad government has intensified military deployment in Anbar in an effort to recapture such major cities as Fallujah and Ramadi. Officials have reported a steady advance by infantry units, pro-government militias, backed by attack helicopters and main battle tanks.

“The battle is about to end in Anbar,” Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al
Maliki said.

Officials said Al Maliki was planning an army offensive in the Saleh
Eddin province. They said Kurdish forces in northern Iraq have been helping
the Shi’ite-led government in Baghdad.

But Al Qaida has also intensified attacks in Baghdad. On Feb. 5, at
least 24 people were killed in suicide car bombings around the so-called
Green Zone, which contains government facilities and embassies.

“At around nine o’clock this morning, a terrorist suicide bomber riding
a motorcycle tried to enter the security area of the ministry,” the Iraqi
Foreign Ministry said. “A group of guards stopped him at a checkpoint and
denied him access so he blew himself and the bike.”