ISIS fighters gain control of Iraq-Syria border

ISIS militants seized the Al-Waleed border post between Iraq and Syria yesterday. The development means that all border crossings between Iraq and Syria are now under the control of ISIS militants. With the seizure of the Iraq-Syria border crossing, militants will be able to tighten their control over western Iraq and expand their control over the region. The two other crossings between Iraq and Syria, Al-Qaim and Rabia, are also in the hands of ISIS militants.

After Iraqi PM al-Maliki warned of ISIS's threat to security across the region, ISIS fighters advanced into the eastern province of Diyala, yesterday capturing the headquarters of a major Iraqi Army base. In addition, local sources report that the strategic Shiite-majority northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar and its airport were seized by militants on Monday after days of heavy clashes. The major Turbail border crossing between Jordan and Iraq has been in the hands of militants late on Sunday after government forces withdrew from the area following heavy clashes with rebels. Iraqi security forces are struggling to hold their ground against the ISIS advance in Iraq, threatening the capital city of Baghdad. During fierce fighting which took place 100 kilometres south of Baghdad, 50 prisoners and seven militants were left dead.