Iraq’s PM Rejects Pressure to Step Down
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has rejected Western powers calls to step down, and seeks a third term in office amidst threats of Sunni jihadists.
Nouri Al Maliki
ISIL Surrounds Two Major Iraq Bases; Iraq Orders Russian-Made Jets
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) were surrounding at least two major military bases in Northern Iraq while Iraq expects a shipment of Russian-made jets within a few days to “turn the tide” in the war.
Kerry Meets Iraq’s PM; New Iraq Gov’t by July 1
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for nearly two hours on Monday. Kerry received commitments from Maliki to begin the process of forming a new national government in Baghdad by July 1, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Obama Wants New Iraq Government, Without Maliki
The White House is convinced that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, is unable to reconcile the Islamic factions in the country and wants to see a new government installed without Maliki, The Wall Street Journal reported.
War Between Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq threatens the entire region
Muslims fighting Muslims — so who is to blame? Perhaps Allah! Both sides, Sunnis backed by Saudi Arabia and Shiites backed by Iran, are blaming each other as sectarian violence threatens “unpredictable consequences” for the region.
ISIS Advances on Baquba, Less than 40 Miles from Baghdad
On Tuesday, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Greater Syria) (ISIS) targeted the city of Baquba, less than 40 miles north of Baghdad.
General’s Plea to Keep Forces in Iraq Ignored by Obama
President Barack Obama was advised by the last American commander in Iraq that 23,000 U.S. troops remain to cement the victory, however no deal was ever reached with Baghdad, and all combat forces went home in 2011.
Iran Deploys Forces to Fight Jihadists in Iraq
Iran has deployed two Revolutionary Guards units to Iraq to protect Baghdad, and the holy Shi’ite cities of Karbala and Najaf, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Iran Open to Shared Role with U.S. in Iraq
Shi’te Muslim Iran is so alarmed by Sunni insurgent gains in Iraq that it may be willing to cooperate with Washington in helping Baghdad fight back, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.