Tensions have been high in the central city of al-Ramadi which has been the scene of several demonstrations since nearly four months ago.

Following several attacks on security forces in al-Ramadi on April, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki vowed his government would not keep silent over the killing of the soldiers.

Iraqi officials have repeatedly said that insurgent groups, such as al-Qaida in Iraq and supporters of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's regime, have infiltrated the demonstrations.

April was the deadliest month for Iraq in nearly five years, with more than 700 people killed in violent attacks across the country.

A wave of violence began on April 23 when militants invaded security checkpoints near the town of Hawijah in north Iraq, sparking clashes in which 53 people were killed.