The Iraqi Defense Ministry released video footage of intense fighting in Anbar province, according to the Associated Press.
Reports over the weekend indicated the Anbar city of Fallujah fell to Al Qaeda aligned extremists. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged residents to expel the militants, possibly signaling an imminent military move by Baghdad to retake the city.
Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. will provide support for the Iraqis but will not send American troops.
The outbreak of violence is the worst Iraq has seen since President Obama's decision to withdraw American forces in 2011.
Fox News contributor Brit Hume slammed President Obama for electing to pull military assets out of the country yesterday. The consequences of failing to ensure peace in Iraq "are now becoming clear," Hume said: