BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces and allied Sunni tribesmen repelled an Islamic State attack overnight on a town west of Baghdad, a tribal leader said Tuesday, as the government renewed its commitment to arm anti-militant Sunni tribes following the loss of the key city of Ramadi.

IS militants routed Iraqi troops and seized Ramadi, the Anbar provincial capital, over the weekend in their most significant advance since a U.S.-led coalition began airstrikes against the extremists last summer.

The Cabinet said Tuesday that the Sunni tribesmen in Anbar province would be armed in coordination with the local government. The move is apparently aimed at winning the Sunnis in embattled Anbar ahead of decisive offensive to retake Ramadi.

Islamic State militants launched an attack shortly before midnight Monday to try and capture the town of Khaldiya, which lies between Fallujah and Ramadi, Sheikh Rafie al-Fahdawi said. The extremists first captured a small village outside Khaldiya, he said, adding that no troops or tribal fighters were killed in the clashes.

The loss of Ramadi prompted Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to order Shiite militias to prepare to go into the restive Sunni province following a request from the local government and some tribes.

The paramilitary forces, known as Popular Mobilization Units, played a major role in dislodging IS militants from the northern city of Tikrit last month and rolling back the extremists elsewhere in the country.

But rights groups have accused the militiamen of carrying out revenge attacks against Sunnis and of looting and destroying property. Militia leaders have denied the allegations.