Islamic State may soon seize control of 350 miles of territory from Baghdad's doorstep to Raqqa

As the Islamic State (IS) advances through a strategic town on the border of Syria and Turkey and an entire province on Baghdad's border, Falleh al-Issawi, Anbar Provincial Council's deputy head has warned that the group may soon seize control over 350 miles of territory beginning from the perimeter of Iraq's capital to Raqqa in Syria, a report said.

Leaders in Iraq's Anbar province have pleaded the United States to send ground troops to prevent the group's rapid, relentless assault, reported the CNN.

The speculation came as the US military fighting the IS in Iraq warned on Sunday that the terror group came within 25 km of the Baghdad airport. General Martin Dempsey said that the US had to risk employing low-flying attack helicopters to keep the IS at bay.

Anbar Provincial Council president Sabah Al-Karhout said that the group already controls about 80% of the province. Reports have also suggested that the group has encircled Haditha, the last large town in Anbar which has not fallen into the hands of the IS.