Reuters: Islamic State fighters seize parts of western Iraqi town: officials

(Reuters) - Islamic State insurgents took control on Thursday of large parts of the western Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, threatening an air base where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi troops, officials said.

Al-Baghdadi, about 85 km (50 miles) northwest of Ramadi in Anbar province, has been besieged for months by the radical Sunni Islamist militants who captured vast swathes of northern and western Iraq last year.

Militants attacked al-Baghdadi from two directions earlier in the day and then advanced on the town, intelligence sources and officials in the Jazeera and Badiya operations commands said.

The officials said another group of insurgents then attacked the heavily-guarded Ain al-Asad air base five km southwest of the town, but were unable to break into it.

WNU Editor: I suspect that this air base is heavily protected, and U.S. air power is probably being deployed right now. And while this base has been attacked before .... this is a new and ominous development.

More News On Reports That 320 U.S. Marines Are Surrounded By Islamic State Fighters

ISIS Takes Ramadi City al-Baghdadi: Rumor Spreads 300 Marines Trapped at al-Asad Air Base -- Epoch Times
Islamic State advances near Iraq base where U.S. advisers are stationed -- Washington Post
Iraqi airbase used by Marines attacked after Islamic State takes over nearby town -- Washington Times
ISIS on the doorstep? Fighters reportedly seize Iraqi town near base holding US Marines -- FOX News
ISIS Terrorists Just Seized 90% Of A Town Only 5 Miles From Where U.S. Marines Are Stationed -- IJReview
ISIS Take Over Iraqi Town of al-Baghdadi; Reach US Training Airbase -- IBTimes
Al Asad Airbase ISIS Attack: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know -- Heavy.com