Militants took control Tuesday of Al-Qaim, the Iraqi side of a border crossing with Syria, after security forces withdrew, police and army officers said.

Militants took control Tuesday of Al-Qaim, the Iraqi side of a border crossing with Syria, after security forces withdrew, police and army officers said.

The gunmen were loyal to the rebel Free Syrian Army and Al-Qaeda's Syrian front group Al-Nusra Front, which already controlled the Syrian side of the crossing.   

Earlier, at least 44 prisoners were killed in an overnight militant assault on a police station in the Iraqi city of Baquba, security and medical officials said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's security spokesman said the prisoners were killed by terrorists carrying out the attack.

The Iraqi army repelled a militant attack against the town, regaining Tuesday morning control over the three neighborhoods, which had been seized by ISIL terrorists.