Deadly clashes erupted in Iraq’s western province of Anbar on Thursday as security forces assaulted militant strongholds while mortars in the city of Fallujah killed two people.

Deadly clashes erupted in Iraq's western province of Anbar on Thursday as security forces assaulted militant strongholds while mortars in the city of Fallujah killed two people.

Around 3,000 security personnel, comprised of units from the elite Golden Brigade, and the interior ministry's Rapid Intervention Force, attacked an alleged militant camp in Albubali, an area comprising villages and rural farmland between Ramadi and Fallujah.

The forces were backed by tanks and aircraft, according to a senior police officer and a policeman.

"The main target is to take control of this area (Albubali)," the officer said.

Clashes were also reported just west of Fallujah overnight, while two mortars in the city killed two people.

In a related context, the bodies of 14 men, kidnapped earlier Thursday by militants dressed in army uniforms, were found shot dead in an orchard north of Baghdad, security officials said.