The BBC reports that there has been "fierce fighting" between ISIS and government troops to the west of Baghdad, and intense airstrikes from the US-led coalition against the jihadists. However, "the insurgents have not retreated". "The Islamic State are on the verge of entering Baghdad...Over 1,000 Iraqi troops were killed by them yesterday," warned Canon Andrew White, vicar of Baghdad this morning. "As I said all military strikes are doing nothing. If we ever needed your prayer it is now."