(Transcript from World News Radio)
Thousands of civilians have fled western Iraq as the self-described Islamic State group gains ground in the city of Ramadi.
Security forces are urging the government and US-led coalition to step up its support.
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Lydia Feng has the details.
Fighting rages in the northern city of Baiji in Iraq as government forces battle Islamic State militants.
There was a small victory for Iraqi security forces after they won back the small town of al-Fatha cutting off a supply line used by Islamic State militants.
An Iraqi soldier says he's overjoyed the militants have been pushed back.
(translation) "Thank God, our morale is high. As you can see, the units have pushed forward towards the mountains where Islamic State are based."
But further south in Ramadi - the capital of Anbar province is steadly slipping from government grasp.
The militants have captured neighbourhoods around it and have been making inroads in the north of the city after the government launched a new offensive last week to recapture parts of Anbar - large areas of which Islamic State has held for the past year.
There are reports Ramadi could fall into the hands of IS soon.
The US military is not convinced.
Nonetheless, the escalating violence is forcing hundreds of families to flee - making the dangerous journey to Baghdad.
Local officials have feared this outcome for weeks, pleading for greater coalition support.
Amal Ahmed is lucky to be alive after she was hit by a rocket.
"I was out in the garden and a rocket hit and the shrapnel sliced me. I felt something fall out of me and put it back in."
