Sunni militants gain key border crossings in Iraq
Militants in Iraq have gained control of two key border crossings and a number of towns in the west, as fighting continues to escalate. One of the crossings borders Jordan, while the other is between Iraq and neighbouring Syria, where the terrorist group originates.
The key strategic gains will help Isis, the Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant, to further its aim of creating an Islamic state that borders Iraq and Syria, and puts further pressure on President Barack Obama as the conflict moves closer to ally Jordan.
Heavy fighting continued in Iraq over the weekend despite calls from western leaders and neighbouring countries for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to find a political solution.
Obama said last week he would not send ground troops to Iraq, instead offering 300 military strategists to help the struggling Iraqi army regain control of the situation.
Prime Minister David Cameron has consistently refused to send troops to the country and made the case for a political solution, instead focusing on the threat from UK nationals fighting with Isis if they return home.