Islamic State captures Iraqi army base despite US-led air strikes

Islamic State fighters have seized control of an army base in western Iraq, the third to fall in three weeks, as Iraqi forces in the region appeared close to collapse despite US-led air strikes.

Iraqi officials described the pull-back on Monday from near Hit - a town in Anbar province about 180km west of Baghdad - as a "tactical retreat".

The loss of the base deals another psychological blow to beleaguered Iraqi forces that have been battling Islamic State militants in Anbar for 10 months. Regional politicians have pleaded for increased US support as fears grow that the province could fall completely.

The instability in Anbar has stoked fears Islamic State fighters could use their gains to push into areas closer to the capital. So far, Baghdad has largely avoiding being within Islamic State's firing range, though the group has carried out regular suicide bombings in the capital. On Monday, bombings in mostly Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad killed at least 30 people, the Associated Press reported.

President Barack Obama has stressed that although the US could provide air support, the war is for Iraq to fight. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond reiterated that position during a visit to Baghdad on Monday.

"The Iraqi people, the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi government will have to take the lead on the ground."