Thousands flee after ISIS takes control of Ramadi

It's been more than one week since the key Iraqi town of Ramadi fell to ISIS. U.S. officials vowed to help take the city back, but there are fears the entire region could fall to the Islamic State sending thousands of refugees into Iraq's Anbar Province. 

More than 40,000 people have escaped since ISIS took control of Ramadi nearly two weeks ago and reportedly carried out public executions as a fear tactic. An Isis video showed American-backed Iraqi soldiers pulling out of the city. U.S. defense officials said Iraqi troops lost the will to fight.

Iraq's Shiite Muslim militias have deployed to try to retake the city, but security analysts say they could fuel religious tensions among the predominantly Sunni population. 

It's been 9 months since the U.S.-led coalition began air strikes against ISIS, and militants are still seizing territory in both Iraq and across the border in Syria.U.S. military officials say America and its allies carried out 10 air strikes against ISIS militants in Syria and 25 strikes in Iraq since Sunday.

On Wednesday, militants captured the ancient city of Palmyra, and activists said fighters executed more than 200 people including children.