Islamic State at a glance

By Angus Holland
Updated October 14 2014 - 2:13pm, first published 1:42pm

The extreme Islamic group known as ISIL, ISIS or, more recently, simply as Islamic State, has rapidly moved to control and destabilise Iraq, sweeping in from Syria in the north and routing large numbers of Iraqi troops. The US has intervened with air raids, and Australia last week flew its first missions after committing Super Hornet jets and, in an advisory capacity, special forces troops. Yet Islamic State continues to gain ground and is now threatening Baghdad. Here's a visual Q&A that explains who we're dealing with... 

What's the current state of play?

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