(VOVworld) – The Iraqi army on Sunday withdrew its troops from 3 cities of western Anbar province after Sunni insurgents took over their fourth strategic city near the border with Syria.

Anti-ISIL protesters demonstrate in Baghdad on Sunday. (Photo:Reuteurs)

Rawa, 275 kilometres northwest from Baghdad, and its neighbouring city, Aanah, are now under control of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). On Friday ISIL gunmen took control of Rutba, a city 370 kilometres west of Baghdad. They occupied the Albu Haiya region and the town of Jubba before moving to the north-western city of Hadithah.