Image copyright AP Image caption The USS George HW Bush has been sent to the Gulf by the US along with two other military vessels 
 
 Washington is considering direct talks with Iran on the security situation in Iraq, a US official has told the BBC. 
 
 The move comes as US President Barack Obama weighs up options on action to take in Iraq. 
 
 Meanwhile, the US condemned as "horrifying" photos posted online by Sunni militants that appear to show fighters massacring Iraqi soldiers. 
 
 In the scenes, the soldiers are shown being led away and lying in trenches before and after their "execution". 
 
 The Iraqi military said the pictures were real, but their authenticity has not been independently confirmed. 
 
 The BBC's Jim Muir, in northern Iraq, says if the photographs are genuine, it would be by far the biggest single atrocity since the time of the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. 
 
 Their emergence came as the Iraqi government claimed to have "regained the initiative" against an offensive by Sunni rebels led by ISIS - the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. 
 
 Extremists captured key cities, including Mosul and Tikrit, last week, but several towns have now been retaken from the rebels. 
 
 However the insurgents captured the northern city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, overnight after a heavy mortar bombardment. 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The images appear to show captured Iraqi soldiers in civilian clothes being led away by militants, as the BBC's John Simpson reports 
 
 Vienna talks 
 
 While the US and Iran are old adversaries, both have an interest in curbing the growing threat posed by ISIS and both are considering military support to the Iraqi government, says the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan in Washington. 
 
 The US is said to be considering direct discussions with Tehran which could even take place as early as this week. 
 
 The two countries are due to hold the latest round of talks on Iran's nuclear programme in Vienna. 
 
 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said he will consider co-operation if the US takes action in Iraq. 
 
 The USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier is already being deployed to the Gulf, accompanied by two more warships. But Washington says no US troops will be deployed on the ground. 
 
 The US has also announced it is increasing security at its embassy in Baghdad and relocating some staff to safer areas. 
 
 Meanwhile, there are reports that more than 130 Iranian Revolutionary Guards are in Iraq to provide training and advice. 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption The pictures have not been independently verified, but military sources said they were authentic 
 
 Taken in trucks 
 
 The massacre pictures, apparently posted by ISIS, are said to show what happened to soldiers after the group took over an army base in Tikrit. 
 
 Video footage, apparently filmed earlier, shows many hundreds of men being marched off, with the voice on tape saying they had surrendered at the Speicher base. 
 
 Still photographs show large numbers of young men being transported away in trucks. 
 
 Captions on the photographs, which again appeared to have been issued by ISIS, said they were being taken away to their deaths. 
 
 What appear to be ISIS fighters are seen firing on their captives in some images. 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The insurgency is increasingly splitting communities along sectarian lines, as the BBC's Paul Wood reports 
 
 Sources in the rebel movement, who do not belong to ISIS, told the BBC they believed as many as 1,000 personnel from the base had been executed. 
 
 They said the ISIS fighters had divided them into regular army conscripts, who were set free, and volunteers from Shia militias or from the government's elite Golden Brigade, who were condemned to die. 
 
 Earlier, Iraqi army spokesman Lt Gen Qasim Ata said the military had scored successes against the militants in several areas, killing 279 of them. The figure could not be independently verified. 
 
 Government forces were reported to be building up in the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, ready for a counter-offensive on Tikrit. 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption There are reports that thousands of men have joined Shia militias 
 
 ISIS in Iraq 
 
 The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has 3,000 to 5,000 fighters, and grew out of an al-Qaeda-linked organisation in Iraq 
 
 Joined in its offensives by other Sunni militant groups, including Saddam-era officers and soldiers, and disaffected Sunni tribal fighters 
 
 ISIS has exploited the standoff between the Iraqi government and the minority Sunni Arab community, which complains that Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is monopolising power 
 
 The organisation is led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, an obscure figure regarded as a battlefield commander and tactician 
 
 Are you in Saadiya, Jalawla or Baghdad? Have you been affected by the latest developments? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the title 'Iraq'. ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The BBC's Paul Wood met refugees who have fled to the Kurdish countryside 
 
 Islamist militants in Iraq have seized two new towns, widening their control after threatening to move on Baghdad. 
 
 The Sunni-led Islamists advanced into Diyala province in the east - near Iran and close to the capital - having seized Mosul and Tikrit to the north. 
 
 The UN says hundreds have been killed - with militants carrying out summary executions of civilians in Mosul, including 17 civilians in one street. 
 
 The US says it is looking at "all options", including military action. 
 
 Led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), the insurgents have threatened to push to the capital, Baghdad and regions further south dominated by Iraq's Shia Muslim majority, whom they regard as "infidels". 
 
 At the scene, Feras Killani, BBC News, Baghdad 
 
 Fear is the thing that you feel the most as you walk through Baghdad's streets, as the militants come closer. People here are buying supplies and staying in front of their television sets. They remember what happened during the civil war of 2006-2008 and are very scared this will happen again. 
 
 Many Iraqis no longer trust their national army after soldiers retreated from the ISIS advance. Some have even called for people to instead join militias to defend cities and holy sites. 
 
 It's certainly not the same Baghdad it has been in the last few years. 
 
 Is this the end of Iraq? 
 
 Iraq crisis: Voices from Mosul under ISIS control 
 
 Viewpoint: ISIS goals and possible future gains 
 
 Iraq conflict: US air power no remedy 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption US President Barack Obama: "I don't rule out anything" 
 
 Neighbouring Shia-majority Iran has pledged to support Iraq. President Hassan Rouhani called Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and promised that Iran "will not allow the supporters of terrorists to disrupt security and stability of Iraq through exporting terrorism to Iraq". 
 
 According to the Wall Street Journal - which cited unnamed sources - Iran has already deployed two battalions of the elite al-Quds forces of its Revolutionary Guard to help the Iraqi government. 
 
 US President Barack Obama said he did not "rule out anything because we do have a stake in making sure these jihadists are not getting a permanent foothold in Iraq, or Syria for that matter". 
 
 White House spokesman Jay Carney subsequently added that President Obama was referring to not ruling out air strikes. "We are not contemplating ground troops," he said. 
 
 Fears of ISIS sparking a wider Sunni uprising have increased with reports that former Baath Party members loyal to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have joined forces with the jihadists. 
 
 The US will be reluctant to get drawn back into Iraq, or give backing to one side in what appears to have some of the dimensions of civil war, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil - an area in the autonomous Kurdish-controlled north. 
 
 Analysis: Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor 
 
 If ISIS can hold Mosul and consolidate its presence there, it will have taken a giant step towards its goal of creating an Islamist emirate that straddles Iraq and Syria. 
 
 It would be the most significant act by a jihadist group since al-Qaeda attacked the US on 11 September 2001. It could also lead to other changes to the borders Britain and France imposed on the Middle East a century ago, starting with the break-up of Iraq on sectarian lines. 
 
 The success of ISIS can only make the turmoil in the Middle East worse. ISIS is an ultra-extremist Sunni Muslim group. Its success will deepen the sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shias that is already the most dangerous fault line in the Middle East. 
 
 Iran, which is a majority Shia Muslim country, shares a border with Iraq. It has a direct line to Iraq's Shia Muslim Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, and close links with some Iraqi Shia militias. The Iranians could direct their proxies, and even their own special forces units, at ISIS. 
 
 That might end up further inflaming the anger of Iraqi Sunnis, who have already helped the advance of ISIS through Iraq. 
 
 US air strikes, if they happen, might do the same thing. Once again in the Middle East, the Americans have limited options. Their invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003 helped create and strengthen jihadist groups. 
 
 Sharpening Sunni-Shia schism bodes ill for Middle East 
 
 It is becoming clear that the insurgents are not foreign fighters as Mr Maliki alleges, our correspondent says. 
 
 Many strands of Sunni society alienated by Mr Maliki's rule appear to have joined them, he says. 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Iraq state TV airs footage said to be airstrikes on the ISIS-held city of Mosul 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Iraq's former PM Ayad Allawi says the country could be facing a break-up as a result of the insurgency led by Islamist militants 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption The advance of the militants has been swift - with the Iraqi army abandoning posts 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption However, with threats of a move on Baghdad, volunteers heeded a government call to join the resistance 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption The flow of refugees from Mosul has slowed down to a trickle 
 
 UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said on Friday that his office had verified reports that included the killing of 17 civilians working for the police and 12 Iraqi soldiers. 
 
 Among the atrocities, he listed four women who had killed themselves after being raped. 
 
 He said there had been government "excesses", too, and cited the shelling of civilian areas on 6 and 8 June. 
 
 "There are claims that up to 30 civilians may have been killed," Mr Colville said. 
 
 The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, says local authorities estimate that up to 300,000 people fled Mosul in the past few days - joining the more than 500,000 displaced by the conflict in Anbar province earlier. 
 
 However, the number of those arriving has slowed down and some already there have begun to return. 
 
 In the north of the country, Kurdish forces have claimed control of the oil city of Kirkuk, saying government forces have fled. 
 
 The Kurds - seen as a bulwark against the Sunni Muslim insurgents - have also been locked for years in a dispute with Baghdad over Kirkuk, seeking to incorporate it into their own autonomous area. 
 
 ISIS in Iraq 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption An Islamist fighter near a burning Iraqi army Humvee in Tikrit ||||| BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An offensive by insurgents that threatens to dismember Iraq seemed to slow on Saturday after days of lightning advances as government forces regained some territory in counter-attacks, easing pressure on the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad. 
 
 As Iraqi officials spoke of wresting back the initiative against Sunni militants, neighboring Shi'ite Iran held out the prospect of working with its longtime U.S. arch-enemy to help restore security in Iraq. 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday he was reviewing military options, short of sending troops, to combat the insurgency. The United States ordered an aircraft carrier moved into the Gulf on Saturday, readying it in case Washington decides to pursue a military option after insurgents overran areas in the north and advanced on Baghdad. (Full Story) 
 
 Ships like the USS George H.W. Bush, which are equipped with sophisticated anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, are often used to launch airstrikes, conduct surveillance flights, do search, rescue, humanitarian and evacuation missions, and conduct seaborne security operations, a U.S. defense official said. 
 
 Thousands of Iraqis responded to a call by the country's most influential Shi'ite cleric to take up arms and defend the country against the insurgency, led by the Sunni militant Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. 
 
 In a visit to the city of Samarra, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to rout the insurgents, whose onslaught has put the future of Iraq as a unitary state in question and raised the specter of sectarian conflict. 
 
 The militant gains have alarmed Maliki's Shi'ite supporters in both Iran and the United States, which helped bring him to power after invading the country and toppling former Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. 
 
 Oil prices have jumped over fears of ISIL disrupting exports from OPEC member Iraq. 
 
 But having encountered little resistance in majority Sunni areas, the militants have now come up against the army, which clawed back some towns and territory around Samarra on Saturday with the help of Shi'ite militia. 
 
 "We have regained the initiative and will not stop at liberating Mosul from ISIL terrorists, but all other parts," said Major-General Qassim al-Moussawi, spokesman for the Iraqi military's commander-in-chief, pointing out areas the army had retaken on a map with a laser pen. 
 
 In the northeastern province of Diyala, at least seven members of the Kurdish security forces were killed in an airstrike, police said. 
 
 The secretary general of the Kurdish security forces said, however, that only two people had died near the town of Jalawla in what he described as shelling, and that it was not yet clear whether Iraqi forces or militants were responsible. 
 
 The incident and divergent accounts show the potential for security in Iraq to deteriorate further, given the deployment of several heavily armed factions and shifting areas of control. 
 
 Militants in control of Tikrit, 45 km (27 miles) north of Samarra, planted landmines and roadside bombs at the city's entrances, apparently anticipating a counter-attack by government forces. Residents said the militants deployed across the city and moved anti-aircraft guns and heavy artillery into position. Families began to flee north in the direction of Kirkuk, an oil-rich city that Kurdish forces occupied on Thursday after the Iraqi army fled. 
 
 IRAQI ARMY COUNTER-ATTACKS 
 
 Security sources said Iraqi troops attacked an ISIL formation in the town of al-Mutasim, 22 km (14 miles) southeast of Samarra, driving militants into the surrounding desert on Saturday. 
 
 The army also reasserted control over the small town of Ishaqi, southeast of Samarra, to secure a road that links the city to Baghdad and the cities of Tikrit and Mosul farther north. 
 
 Troops backed by the Shi'ite Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia helped retake the town of Muqdadiya northeast of Baghdad, and ISIL was dislodged from Dhuluiya after three hours of fighting with tribesmen, local police and residents, a tribal leader said. 
 
 In Udhaim, 90 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Asaib and police fought militants who earlier occupied the local municipal building, an official there told Reuters, and they directed mortar fire at the government protection force of the Baiji oil refinery, Iraq's largest. 
 
 Masked jihadists under the black flag of ISIL aim to revive a medieval caliphate that would span a fragmenting Iraq and Syria, redrawing borders set by European colonial powers a century ago and menacing neighbors like Iran and Turkey. 
 
 Obama cautioned on Friday that any U.S. intervention must be accompanied by an Iraqi government effort to bridge divisions between Shi'ite and Sunni communities. 
 
 The White House said on Saturday that Obama had called national security adviser Susan Rice on Friday night and on Saturday morning to receive updates on the situation in Iraq. 
 
 "The president directed her to continue to keep him appraised of the latest developments, as his national security team continues to meet through the weekend to review potential options," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. 
 
 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Saturday and expressed support for Iraq in its fight against insurgents, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Kerry pledged $12 million and stressed that Iraq should assure its neighbors that the war is not sectarian, but against the insurgents, the statement said. 
 
 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, asked at a televised news conference whether Tehran could work with the United States to tackle ISIL, said: "We can think about it if we see America starts confronting the terrorist groups in Iraq or elsewhere. 
 
 "We all should practically and verbally confront terrorist groups," added Rouhani, a relative moderate who has presided over a thaw in Iran's long antagonistic relations with the West. 
 
 A senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier this week that Tehran, which has strong leverage in Shi'ite-majority Iraq, may be ready to cooperate with Washington against ISIL rebels. 
 
 The official said the idea of cooperating with the Americans was being mooted within the Tehran leadership. For now, according to Iranian media, Iran will send advisers and weaponry, although probably not troops, to boost Baghdad. 
 
 U.S. officials said on Friday there had been no contact with Iran over the crisis in Iraq. Asked about Rouhani's comments on Saturday, a White House spokesman said he would have no further comment. 
 
 Any initiative would follow a clear pattern of Iranian overtures since the 2001 al Qaeda attacks on U.S. targets, which led to quiet U.S.-Iranian collaboration in the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan and formation of a successor government. 
 
 The United States and Iran, adversaries since Iran's 1979 revolution toppled the U.S.-backed Shah, have long accused each other of meddling in the Gulf and beyond, and have not cooperated on regional security issues for more than a decade. 
 
 MALIKI: BEGINNING OF END FOR MILITANTS 
 
 Militants attacked the convoy of the custodian of the holy shrine in Samarra, while he was en route to Baghdad. Sheikh Haider al-Yaqoobi was not harmed, but 10 of his guards were killed, a source in Samarra hospital said. 
 
 Maliki traveled on Friday to Samarra, one of the cities targeted - although not seized - by ISIL fighters who now prevail in a string of Sunni cities and towns running south from Mosul. 
 
 "Samarra will not be the last line of defense, but a gathering point and launchpad," he told military officers after Iraq's most influential Shi'ite cleric urged people to take up arms and defend the country against the insurgents. 
 
 "Within the coming hours, all the volunteers will arrive to support the security forces in their war against the gangs of ISIL. This is the beginning of the end of them," Maliki, a Shi'ite Muslim, said in comments broadcast on Iraqi television. 
 
 Maliki said the Cabinet had granted him unlimited powers to confront insurgents. Last week, parliament failed to convene for a vote on declaring a state of emergency due to a boycott by most Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers. 
 
 In Basra, Iraq's main city in the mainly Shi'ite far south, hundreds volunteered to join the battle against ISIL, heeding a call to arms by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who commands unswerving loyalty from most Iraqi Shi'ites. 
 
 The volunteers, of all ages, were due to be given weapons and sent to a security center in Basra later on Saturday ready to be transferred farther north. "We the people of Basra obeyed our instructions to defend our country from south to north," said 63-year-old Kadhem Jassim. 
 
 Iran's Rouhani said he would review any request for help submitted by Maliki, although none had been received yet. "We are ready to help in the framework of international regulations and laws," he said. 
 
 (Additional reporting by Isabel Coles in Arbil, Parisa Hafezi in Ankara and William Maclean in Dubai; Ahmed Rasheed and Isabel Coles in Baghdad; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Stephen Powell and Peter Cooney) ||||| Photo Advertisement Continue reading the main story 
 
 BAGHDAD — The specter of sectarian war and partition of Iraq grew on Friday as the country’s top Shiite cleric implored his followers to take up arms against an insurgent army of marauding Sunni extremist militants who have captured broad stretches of northern territory this week in a sweep toward Baghdad. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The exhortation by the cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, came as President Obama told the Iraqis they need to resolve the crisis themselves and vowed not to redeploy United States forces in Iraq, a country where nearly 4,500 American soldiers lost their lives and the United States spent more than $1 trillion in an eight-year war that Mr. Obama said was history when the last troops left in 2011. 
 
 While Mr. Obama said he would offer some help, it would not include troops, and he asserted that “we’re not going to allow ourselves to be dragged back into a situation in which, while we’re there, we’re keeping a lid on things.” 
 
 Heeding the call to arms by Ayatollah Sistani, Shiite volunteers rushed to the front lines, reinforcing defenses of the holy city of Samarra 70 miles north of Baghdad, and helping thwart attacks by Sunni fighters of the radical Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in some smaller cities to the east. The confrontations suggested that Shiites and Sunnis would once again engage in open conflict for control of Iraq, as they did during the height of the American-led occupation that ousted Saddam Hussein. 
 
 That struggle between the sects has also helped shape the civil war in neighboring Syria and threatened to further destabilize the Middle East. 
 
 While it was unclear from Mr. Obama’s remarks what he might be prepared to do militarily to help the Maliki government, administration officials said the options included airstrikes by warplanes or drones, improved intelligence sharing and deployment of small numbers of Special Forces members. 
 
 The United States already has considerable military power deployed in the region, with 35,000 troops, in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and neighboring Gulf nations. In addition, the United States has an array of ships there, as well as the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush with an accompanying Navy cruiser in the northern Arabian Sea. Two Navy destroyers from the Bush strike group have moved into the Persian Gulf, a Defense Department official said. 
 
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 Continue reading the main story Iraqi Army Retakes Government Complex in Central Ramadi Efforts to stem the rise of the Islamic State. Control: Iraqi Security Forces Contested ISIS Previously contested area Albu Faraj Islamic State control Eighth Brigade Base Ramadi Iraqi government control Government complex The last ISIS fighters left the government buildings on Dec. 28. Tamim Iraqi forces advanced into central Ramadi Anbar University 1 Mile The Iraqi government continues to advance in contested areas, but resistance remains to the north and east. Control: Iraqi Security Forces Contested ISIS Previously contested area Albu Faraj Islamic State control Eighth Brigade Base Ramadi Iraqi government control Government complex The last ISIS fighters left the government buildings on Dec. 28. Tamim Iraqi forces advanced into central Ramadi Anbar University 1 Mile The Iraqi government continues to advance in contested areas, but resistance remains to the north and east. Control: Iraqi Security Forces Contested ISIS Previously contested area Albu Faraj Islamic State control Eighth Brigade Base Ramadi Iraqi government control Government complex The last ISIS fighters left the government buildings on Dec. 28. Tamim Iraqi forces advanced into central Ramadi Anbar University 1 Mile The Iraqi government continues to advance in contested areas, but resistance remains to the north and east. Previously contested areas Iraqi government control Islamic State control Ramadi Government complex Iraqi forces advanced into central Ramadi The last ISIS fighters left the government buildings on Dec. 28. The Iraqi government continues to advance in contested areas, but resistance remains to the north and east. Previously contested areas Iraqi government control Islamic State control Ramadi Government complex Iraqi forces advanced into central Ramadi The last ISIS fighters left the government buildings on Dec. 28. The Iraqi government continues to advance in contested areas, but resistance remains to the north and east. Source: Institute for the Study of War Control: Iraqi Security Forces Contested ISIS Contested Albu Faraj Albu Jalib Eighth Brigade ISIS control Ramadi ISIS losses since December 3 Tamim ISF control Anbar University 1 Mile Control: Iraqi Security Forces Contested ISIS Contested Albu Faraj Albu Jalib Eighth Brigade ISIS control Ramadi ISIS losses since December 3 Tamim ISF control Anbar University 1 Mile Control: Iraqi Security Forces Contested ISIS Contested Albu Faraj Albu Jalib Eighth Brigade ISIS control Ramadi ISIS losses since December 3 Tamim ISF control Anbar University 1 Mile Contested Ramadi ISIS losses since Dec. 3 ISIS control ISF control Contested Ramadi ISIS losses since Dec. 3 ISIS control ISF control Source: Institute for the Study of War Demilitarized Syria 1,450 tent shelters Demilitarized Jordan Rukban check point SYRIA Jordan Rukban Hadalat 500 ft 1,450 tent shelters Demilitarized Jordan Rukban check point SYRIA Jordan Rukban Hadalat 500 ft 1,450 tent shelters Demilitarized Jordan Rukban check point Jordan 500 ft 1,450 tent shelters Rukban check point Jordan 500 ft Sources: Human Rights Watch (satellite image), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Indonesia Estimated number of jihadist fighters from top-source countries. Kyrgyzstan Egypt June 2014 December 2015 Libya Britain Germany Lebanon Morocco France Jordan Turkey Russia Saudi Arabia Tunisia Note: Data showing the estimated number of fighters for some countries in 2014 did not change or was unavailable. Estimated number of jihadist fighters from top-source countries. June 2014 Dec. 2015 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Indonesia Kyrgyzstan Egypt Libya Britain Germany Lebanon Morocco France Jordan Turkey Russia Saudi Arabia Tunisia 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Note: Data showing the estimated number of fighters for some countries in 2014 did not change or was unavailable. Source: The Soufan Group 2 Miles ISIS military encampments Raqqa SYRIA SYRIA Damascus ISIS headquarters ISIS security headquarters Raqqa National Hospital Al Khoder pharmacy Jihadi John (killed Nov. 12) Main ISIS headquarters Weapons cache Islamic Court Euphrates Training camp ISIS military encampment Airstrike locations 2 Miles Raqqa ISIS military encampments SYRIA SYRIA Damascus Raqqa ISIS security headquarters Jihadi John (killed Nov. 12) Weapons cache Main ISIS headquarters Euphrates ISIS military encampment Training camp Airstrike locations 2 Miles Raqqa ISIS military encampments SYRIA SYRIA Raqqa Main ISIS headquarters Jihadi John (killed Nov. 12) Euphrates ISIS military encampments Airstrike locations Source: Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently SMOKE PLUME Sinjar Pesh merga 47 Y.P.G. and P.K.K. 1/4 MILE 1/4 MILE SMOKE PLUME Sinjar 47 Y.P.G. and P.K.K. Pesh merga 1/4 MILE SMOKE PLUME Sinjar Y.P.G. and P.K.K. Pesh merga 47 1/4 MILE SMOKE PLUME Sinjar Y.P.G. and P.K.K. 47 Pesh merga SMOKE PLUME Sinjar 47 Pesh merga Y.P.G. and P.K.K. 1/4 MILE SMOKE PLUME Sinjar 47 Pesh merga Y.P.G. and P.K.K. 1/4 MILE Satellite image by Planet Labs El Isbah Syria Deir al-Zour Jafra Sijan Oil and natural gas fields Fields targeted by the United States Azraq Omar Barghooth Tanak Mosul Isis control Abu Hardan Syria Detail Baghdad Damascus 5 MILES Iraq Iraq El Isbah Syria Jafra Deir al-Zour Oil and natural gas fields Sijan Fields targeted by the United States Azraq Omar Barghooth Tanak Isis control Abu Hardan Syria Detail 5 MILES Iraq Iraq El Isbah Oil and natural gas fields Jafra Fields targeted by the U.S. Sijan Omar Azraq Barghooth Tanak Abu Hardan 10 MILES Isis control Syria Syria Detail Iraq Iraq Sources: Al Furat Petroleum Company, East View Geospatial (roads), Institute for the Study of War ABOUT 120 MILES TO RAQQA SYRIA MOUNT SINJAR Sinjar IRAQ 47 ABOUT 60 MILES TO MOSUL Qamishli Turkey Dohuk MOUNT SINJAR Hasaka Mosul 47 Syria Tal Afar Sinjar Approx. section of road targeted by the operation ISIS currently moves freely through eastern Syria Raqqa Iraq Isis control Area of detail Syria Iraq Deir al-Zour 25 Miles ABOUT 120 MILES TO RAQQA SYRIA MOUNT SINJAR IRAQ Sinjar ABOUT 60 MILES TO MOSUL 47 Qamishli Dohuk Syria MOUNT SINJAR Hasaka Mosul 47 to Raqqa Tal Afar Approx. section of road targeted by the operation Isis control ISIS currently moves freely through eastern Syria Iraq Area of detail SYRIA IRAQ 25 Miles SYRIA MOUNT SINJAR Sinjar IRAQ 47 Syria Dohuk Mosul MOUNT SINJAR 47 Tal Afar Approx. section of road targeted by the operation Isis control Iraq Area of detail Syria Iraq 25 Miles Source: IHS Conflict Monitor (control areas) 50 MILES Kobani TURKEY Hasaka Mosul Aleppo Erbil The U.S. is arming Syrian Arab fighters who will join Kurdish combatants to attack Raqqa. Iraqi forces and Shiite militias, aided by U.S. airstrikes, retook the Baiji oil refinery from ISIS on Friday after contesting it for more than a year. Deir al-Zour Hawija ISIS control areas IRAQ Homs IRAN Tikrit Palmyra LEBANON SYRIA Iraqi forces have encircled Ramadi, which is defended by 600 to 1,000 militants, with the support of U.S. airstrikes and the Iraqi air force. Damascus Baghdad Falluja JORDAN 50 MILES Kobani TURKEY Hasaka Mosul Aleppo Erbil The U.S. is arming Syrian Arab fighters who will join Kurdish combatants to attack Raqqa. Iraqi forces and Shiite militias, aided by U.S. airstrikes, retook the Baiji oil refinery from ISIS on Friday after contesting it for more than a year. Deir al-Zour Hawija ISIS control areas IRAQ Homs Tikrit Palmyra LEBANON SYRIA Iraqi forces have encircled Ramadi, which is defended by 600 to 1,000 militants, with the support of U.S. airstrikes and the Iraqi air force. Baghdad Falluja 50 MILES TURKEY Kobani Iraqi forces and Shiite militias, aided by U.S. airstrikes, retook the Baiji oil refinery on Friday. SYRIA ISIS control The U.S. is arming Syrian Arab fighters who will join Kurdish combatants to attack Raqqa. Palmyra Tikrit Hawija IRAQ Baghdad Iraqi forces have encircled Ramadi, which is defended by 600 to 1,000 militants. JORDAN 50 MILES TURKEY Iraqi forces and Shiite militias, aided by U.S. airstrikes, retook the Baiji oil refinery on Friday. SYRIA ISIS control The U.S. is arming Syrian Arab fighters who will join Kurdish combatants to attack Raqqa. Tikrit Hawija IRAQ Iraqi forces have encircled Ramadi, which is defended by 600 to 1,000 militants. Sources: IHS Conflict Monitor (control areas); Satellite image by Landsat via Google Earth Islamic State control Turkish control Kurdish control Rebel control Contested Diyarbakir air base A suicide bomber believed to have ties to ISIS killed at least 32 people in this ethnically Kurdish town. Turkey will allow U.S. airstrikes against ISIS to be conducted from air bases at Incirlik and Diyarbakir. Approximate safe zone where U.S. and Turkish forces seek to clear ISIS militants. TURKEY Incirlik air base Suruc Jarablus Ras al-Ain Kilis Tal Abyad Manbij Dabiq Hasaka Marea Ain Issa Al Bab SYRIA Aleppo 25 MILES Raqqa Islamic State control Turkish control Kurdish control Rebel control Contested Approximate safe zone where U.S. and Turkish forces seek to clear ISIS militants. A suicide bomber believed to have ties to ISIS killed at least 32 people in this ethnically Kurdish town. TURKEY Suruc Ras al-Ain Jarablus Kilis Tal Abyad Manbij Dabiq Marea Ain Issa Al Bab Aleppo SYRIA Raqqa 25 MILES Islamic State control Turkish control Kurdish control Rebel control Contested Approximate safe zone where U.S. and Turkish forces seek to clear ISIS militants. A suicide bomber believed to have ties to ISIS killed at least 32 people in this ethnically Kurdish town. TURKEY Suruc Jarablus Kilis Tal Abyad Manbij Dabiq Marea Ain Issa Al Bab Aleppo SYRIA Raqqa 25 MILES Islamic State control Turkish control Kurdish control Rebel control Contested TURKEY Approximate safe zone where U.S. and Turkish forces seek to clear ISIS militants. Suruc Jarablus Kilis Tal Abyad Manbij Dabiq Marea Ain Issa Al Bab Aleppo A suicide bomber believed to have ties to ISIS killed at least 32 people in this ethnically Kurdish town. SYRIA Raqqa 25 MILES Islamic State control Turkish control Kurdish control Rebel control Contested TURKEY Approximate safe zone where U.S. and Turkish forces seek to clear ISIS militants. Suruc Jarablus Kilis Manbij Dabiq Marea Al Bab Aleppo A suicide bomber believed to have ties to ISIS killed at least 32 people in this ethnically Kurdish town. SYRIA 25 MILES United States military officials reported 54 airstrikes from July 12-19. Iraqi forces killed 30 Islamic State fighters in an airstrike on July 20. The Anbar offensive began near Falluja in early July but encountered strong resistance. 10 MILES 20 30 40 50 60 Ramadi Husayba University of Anbar Saqlawiyah Habbaniya Falluja Al Taqqadum airbase Baghdad Habbaniya Lake Abu Ghraib Iraqi forces clashed with the Islamic State on July 18. Iraqi forces attacked the Islamic State in Husayba and in areas south of Ramadi on July 19. Cities labeled in red are under control of the Islamic State. United States military officials reported 54 airstrikes from July 12-19. Iraqi forces killed 30 Islamic State fighters in an airstrike on July 20. The Anbar offensive began near Falluja in early July but encountered strong resistance. 10 MILES 20 30 40 Ramadi Husayba University of Anbar Saqlawiyah Habbaniya Falluja Al Taqqadum airbase Habbaniya Lake Iraqi forces clashed with the Islamic State on July 18. Iraqi forces attacked the Islamic State in Husayba and in areas south of Ramadi on July 19. Cities labeled in red are under control of the Islamic State. United States military officials reported 54 airstrikes from July 12-19. Iraqi forces killed 30 Islamic State fighters in an airstrike on July 20. The Anbar offensive began near Falluja in early July but encountered strong resistance. 10 MILES 20 30 Ramadi Husayba University of Anbar Saqlawiyah Habbaniya Falluja Al Taqqadum airbase Habbaniya Lake Iraqi forces clashed with the Islamic State on July 18. Iraqi forces attacked the Islamic State in Husayba and in areas south of Ramadi on July 19. Cities labeled in red are under control of the Islamic State. United States military officials reported 54 airstrikes from July 12-19. Iraqi forces killed 30 Islamic State fighters in an airstrike on July 20. The Anbar offensive began near Falluja in early July but encountered strong resistance. 10 MILES 20 30 Ramadi Husayba University of Anbar Saqlawiyah Habbaniya Falluja Al Taqqadum airbase Habbaniya Lake Iraqi forces clashed with the Islamic State on July 18. Iraqi forces attacked the Islamic State in Husayba and in areas south of Ramadi on July 19. Cities labeled in red are under control of the Islamic State. United States military officials reported 54 airstrikes from July 12-19. Iraqi forces killed 30 Islamic State fighters in an airstrike on July 20. 10 MILES Ramadi Husayba University of Anbar Habbaniya Al Taqqadum airbase Habbaniya Lake Iraqi forces clashed with the Islamic State on July 18. Iraqi forces attacked the Islamic State in Husayba and in areas south of Ramadi on July 19. Cities labeled in red are under control of the Islamic State. Sources: Institute for the Study of War; Defense Department; Satellite image by DigitalGlobe via Google Earth Cities labeled in red are under ISIS control. ISIS carried out five car bomb attacks on July 10 in this Iraqi-held town. Iraqi forces have been fighting in this area since July 5. Ramadi Saqlawiyah Karma Khaldiya 30 MILES 20 10 5 Falluja Baghdad Abu Ghraib Iraqi forces advanced here on July 9 to threaten an ISIS supply route. Habbaniya Lake Cities labeled in red are under ISIS control. ISIS carried out five car bomb attacks on July 10 in this Iraqi-held town. Iraqi forces have been fighting in this area since July 5. Ramadi Saqlawiyah Karma Khaldiya 30 MILES 20 10 5 Falluja Abu Ghraib Iraqi forces advanced here on July 9 to threaten an ISIS supply route. Habbaniya Lake Cities labeled in red are under ISIS control. ISIS carried out five car bomb attacks on July 10 in this Iraqi-held town. Iraqi forces have been fighting in this area since July 5. Ramadi Saqlawiyah Karma Khaldiya 30 MILES 20 10 5 Falluja Iraqi forces advanced here on July 9 to threaten an ISIS supply route. Habbaniya Lake ISIS carried out five car bomb attacks on July 10 in this Iraqi-held town. Iraqi forces advanced here on July 9 to threaten an ISIS supply route. Saqlawiyah Karma Khaldiya 20 10 5 MILES Falluja Iraqi forces have been fighting in this area since July 5. Habbaniya Lake Cities labeled in red are under ISIS control. ISIS carried out five car bomb attacks on July 10 in this Iraqi-held town. Iraqi forces advanced here on July 9 to threaten an ISIS supply route. Karma Khaldiya Saqlawiyah 10 5 MILES Falluja Iraqi forces have been fighting in this area since July 5. Cities labeled in red are under ISIS control. Sources: Institute for the Study of War; Satellite image by DigitalGlobe via Google Earth U.S.-led Airstrikes Against ISIS June 15 to July 5 Each circle represents a targeted area, sized by number of airstrikes. TURKEY Kobani 44 Tal Afar Hasaka U.S. officials called the 38 airstrikes on July 4 the most sustained campaign to date. Mosul 55 Tal Abyad Erbil Aleppo Sinjar Raqqa 32 Makhmur Airstrikes in Syria Kirkuk Hawija 29 Deir al-Zour 28 IRAQ 25 SYRIA Baiji 21 IRAN Homs Tikrit Palmyra Rawa Qaim Haditha Baghdadi Hit Falluja Damascus Baghdad Waleed Ramadi Jun. 15 Jun. 21 Jul. 1 Jul. 5 Habbaniya Rutba 50 MILES Airstrikes in Iraq U.S.-led Airstrikes Against ISIS June 15 to July 5 TURKEY Tal Abyad Kobani U.S. officials called the 38 airstrikes on July 4 the most sustained campaign to date. 44 Tal Afar Mosul Hasaka 55 Aleppo Erbil Sinjar Raqqa 32 Makhmur Airstrikes in Syria 29 Hawija Kirkuk 28 Deir al-Zour IRAQ 25 Baiji SYRIA Tikrit Palmyra Rawa Qaim Haditha Baghdadi Hit Falluja Baghdad Waleed Ramadi Each circle represents a targeted area, sized by number of airstrikes. Rutba Habbaniya Jun. 15 Jun. 21 Jul. 1 Jul. 5 50 MILES Airstrikes in Iraq U.S.-led Airstrikes Against ISIS June 15 to July 5 U.S. officials called the 38 airstrikes on July 4 the most sustained campaign to date. 29 28 25 Airstrikes in Syria Airstrikes in Iraq Jun. 15 Jun. 21 Jul. 1 Jul. 5 TURKEY Kobani 44 Tal Afar Mosul 55 Tal Abyad Aleppo Hasaka Sinjar Raqqa 32 Makhmur Kirkuk Hawija Deir al-Zour IRAQ Each circle represents a targeted area, sized by number of airstrikes. Baiji SYRIA Rawa Qaim Haditha Baghdadi Hit Falluja Waleed Ramadi Habbaniya Rutba 50 MILES jordan U.S.-led Airstrikes Against ISIS June 15 to July 5 38 airstrikes on July 4 29 28 25 Airstrikes in Syria Airstrikes in Iraq Jun. 15 Jun. 21 Jul. 1 Jul. 5 Kobani Tal Abyad 44 Mosul 55 Aleppo Raqqa IRAQ Baiji SYRIA Ramadi 50 MILES Each circle represents a targeted area, sized by number of airstrikes. Source: Based on Defense Department statements TURKEY Kobani Jarablus Ras al-Ain Tal Abyad U.S. military conducted 27 airstrikes from June 25 to 29 Hasaka Clashes displaced 60,000 people Ain Issa Aleppo Shadadi SYRIA Maskana Raqqa Markada Area of detail SYRIA Deir al-Zour Islamic State control Kurdish control Contested 25 MILES TURKEY Kobani Ras al-Ain Tal Abyad Hasaka U.S. military conducted 27 airstrikes from June 25 to 29 Clashes displaced 60,000 people Ain Issa Shadadi SYRIA Raqqa Markada Area of detail SYRIA Islamic State control Kurdish control Contested Deir al-Zour 25 MILES TURKEY Kobani Ras al-Ain Tal Abyad Hasaka Ain Issa SYRIA Shadadi Raqqa Markada Area of detail SYRIA Deir al-Zour Islamic State control Kurdish control Contested 25 MILES Sources: Institute for the Study of War; The Long War Journal; Satellite image by Landsat via Google Earth; United Nations ISIS attacked a checkpoint here on May 31 ISIS lost its stronghold to local militias on June 14 Tripoli Misurata Bayda Darnah Dafnya Tobruk Benghazi Mediterranean Sea Surt Nofilya Area of detail Gardabya air base Ajdabiya Islamic State LIBYA Internationally recognized government libya Misurata-Tripoli faction 50 MILES Contested ISIS attacked a checkpoint here on May 31 ISIS lost its stronghold to local militias on June 14 Bayda Dafnya Darnah Misurata Benghazi Mediterranean Sea Surt Nofilya Gardabya air base Ajdabiya Islamic State LIBYA Internationally recognized government libya Misurata-Tripoli faction 50 MILES Contested ISIS lost its stronghold to local militias on June 14 ISIS attacked a checkpoint here on May 31 Dafnya Darnah Misurata Benghazi Surt Nofilya Gardabya air base Ajdabiya libya Islamic State LIBYA Government Misurata-Tripoli faction Contested 50 MILES Source: IISS Armed Conflict Database (control) Area of detail TURKEY Kobani Ras al-Ayn SYRIA Jarablus Kurdish advances since mid-June. Tal Abyad Captured June 16 Hasaka Ain Issa Captured June 23 This important ISIS supply route between Turkey and Raqqa has been cut off. Kurdish-led forces now have increased control over this strategic highway. SYRIA Maskana Shadadi Raqqa Islamic State control Kurdish control Contested 20 MILES Ras al-Ayn TURKEY Kobani Kurdish advances since mid-June. Tal Abyad Captured June 16 SYRIA Ain Issa Captured June 23 This important ISIS supply route has been cut off. Kurdish-led forces now have increased control over this strategic highway. Area of detail SYRIA Islamic State control Kurdish control Contested Raqqa 20 MILES TURKEY Tal Abyad Captured June 16 Kurdish advances since mid-June. Ain Issa Captured June 23 This important ISIS supply route between Turkey and Raqqa has been cut off. SYRIA Area of detail SYRIA Islamic State control Kurdish control 20 MILES Sources: Institute for the Study of War (control); Satellite image by Landsat via Google Earth Turkey Aleppo Kilis SYRIA Damascus Bab al-Salam crossing Azaz Isis Support Kirikhan Afrin Manbij ISIS Control Al Bab Syria Reyhanli Aleppo 10 MILES Turkey Kilis Bab al-Salam crossing Azaz Isis Support Afrin ISIS Control Al Bab Syria Aleppo Turkey Kilis Bab al-Salam crossing Azaz Afrin ISIS Control Syria Aleppo Sources: Non-Islamic State insurgents, Institute for the Study of War ISIS established control in these central areas May 15 May 18 ramadi ramadi Iraqi Security Forces were evacuated from the Malab neighborhood Government Facilities Contested areas Areas under ISIS control 2 MILES Areas under Iraqi Security Forces control Final Days Assault A sandstorm forces the American-led airstrike campaign to pause, giving the group time to carry out 10 car bombings followed by a wave of ground attacks that overwhelms the Iraqi forces. Iraqi Security Forces Retreat Within days, Iraqi security forces flee, and Islamic State fighters take control of key government facilities. May 15 May 18 ramadi ramadi Contested areas Government Facilities Areas under ISIS control 2 MILES Areas under Iraqi Security Forces control Final Days Assault A sandstorm forces the American-led airstrike campaign to pause, giving the group time to carry out 10 car bombings followed by a wave of ground attacks that overwhelms the Iraqi forces. Iraqi Security Forces Retreat Within days, Iraqi security forces flee, and Islamic State fighters take control of key government facilities. Government Facilities ramadi May 15 Final Days Assault 2 MILES ramadi May 18 Iraqi Security Forces Retreat Contested areas Areas under ISIS control Areas under Iraqi Security Forces control Source: Institute for the Study of War Area of detail Hit IRAQ Concentration of Shiite militia and Iraq government forces Taji Khaldiya Karma Falluja Ramadi Husayba Habbaniyah Baghdad 80 miles 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Green Zone Abu Ghraib Habbaniyah Lake Amiriyat Fallujah Ramadi Cities under ISIS control Mahmudiyah Areas where ISIS can operate Area of detail IRAQ Concentration of Shiite militia and Iraq government forces Taji Khaldiya Karma Falluja Ramadi Husayba Baghdad Habbaniyah 70 miles 60 50 40 30 20 10 Abu Ghraib Green Zone Habbaniyah Lake Amiriyat Fallujah Ramadi Cities under ISIS control Mahmudiyah Areas where ISIS can operate Ramadi Cities under ISIS control Areas where ISIS can operate Tharthar Lake Habbaniyah Karma Falluja Ramadi Baghdad 60 40 20 miles Khaldiya Husayba Amiriyat Fallujah Ramadi Cities under ISIS control Areas where ISIS can operate Tharthar Lake Hit Habbaniyah Karma Ramadi Falluja Baghdad 80 miles 60 40 20 Khaldiya Husayba Amiriyat Fallujah Sources: Institute for the Study of War (ISIS area of influence); International Crisis Group. 1 MILE ISIS fighters captured this district when the offensive began last week Amiriya Deir al-Zour 120 miles Palmyra Palmyra Airport and Military Airbase Tadmur Prison Ancient sites SYRIA Homs Deir al-Zour Road to Homs, 90 miles, and Damascus, 130 miles Palmyra Damascus 1 MILE Amiriya ISIS fighters captured this district when the offensive began last week Deir al-Zour 120 miles Palmyra Palmyra Airport and Military Airbase Tadmur Prison Ancient sites SYRIA Road to Homs, 90 miles, and Damascus, 130 miles Homs Deir al-Zour Palmyra Damascus 1 MILE Amiriya ISIS fighters captured this district when the offensive began last week Deir al-Zour 120 miles Palmyra Palmyra Airport and Military Airbase Tadmur Prison Ancient sites Road to Homs, 90 miles, and Damascus, 130 miles SYRIA Homs Deir al-Zour Palmyra Damascus 1 MILE Amiriya Deir al-Zour 120 miles Palmyra Tadmur Prison Palmyra Airport and Military Airbase Ancient sites SYRIA Homs Deir al-Zour Palmyra Damascus 1 MILE Amiriya ISIS fighters captured this district when the offensive began last week Deir al-Zour 120 miles Palmyra Tadmur Prison Palmyra Airport and Military Airbase Ancient sites SYRIA Homs Road to Homs, 90 miles, and Damascus, 130 miles Deir al-Zour Palmyra Damascus Source: Institute for the Study of War How ISIS Expands ISIS Finances Are Strong A Rogue State Along Two Rivers How the Air Campaign Against ISIS Grew Syria After Four Years of Mayhem Turkey Ethnic majority Sunni Arab Shiite Arab Kurd Other Kurdish fighters Mosul Erbil kurd ISIS strongholds Nineveh Areas under full ISIS control Kirkuk Kurdish fighters Syria Kurdish and Shiite fighters Iraq Tikrit Iran sunni Anbar Diyala Mostly Shiite militias Ramadi Falluja Baghdad Area of detail shiite Areas of ISIS influence IRAQ 50 MILES Ethnic majority Sunni Arab Shiite Arab Kurd Other ISIS strongholds Areas of ISIS influence Mosul Erbil kurd Nineveh Areas under full ISIS control Kirkuk Iraq Tikrit sunni Mostly Shiite militias Anbar Ramadi Falluja Baghdad Area of detail shiite IRAQ 50 MILES Sources: Dr. M. Izady, Columbia University’s Gulf 2000 project (ethnicity map), Institute for the Study of War (ISIS area of influence); International Crisis Group. Turkey Dohuk Iran Iraqi Kurdistan Mosul Erbil Areas under full ISIS control Syria Kirkuk Sulaimaniya Nineveh 3 Hawija 4 Iraq 1 Tikrit Qaim Jalawla Sammara Tharthar Lake Anbar Area of detail Ramadi Baghdad IRAQ 2 Dohuk Iraqi Kurdistan Mosul Erbil Areas under full ISIS control Kirkuk Nineveh 3 Hawija 4 Iraq 1 Tikrit Jalawla Sammara Tharthar Lake Ramadi Baghdad 2 Dohuk Iran Iraqi Kurdistan Mosul Erbil Areas under full ISIS control Kirkuk Sulaimaniya Nineveh 3 Hawija 4 Iraq 1 Tikrit Qaim Jalawla Sammara Tharthar Lake Anbar Ramadi Baghdad 2 1 Government forces and allied militias continued to battle ISIS militants in Tikrit. 2 At the same time, ISIS fighters were mounting a fierce assault on Ramadi. 3 Kurdish and Sunni tribal fighters advanced on ISIS territory from the northern city of Kirkuk. 4 Residents of Hawija said that ISIS executed some of its own fighters for trying to flee as the group came under attack from Kurdish forces. 1 Government forces and allied militias continued to battle ISIS militants in Tikrit. 2 At the same time, ISIS fighters were mounting a fierce assault on Ramadi. 3 Kurdish and Sunni tribal fighters advanced on ISIS territory from the northern city of Kirkuk. 4 Residents of Hawija said that ISIS executed some of its own fighters for trying to flee as the group came under attack from Kurdish forces. 1 Government forces and allied militias continued to battle ISIS militants in Tikrit. 2 At the same time, ISIS fighters were mounting a fierce assault on Ramadi. 3 Kurdish and Sunni tribal fighters advanced on ISIS territory from the northern city of Kirkuk. 4 Residents of Hawija said that ISIS executed some of its own fighters for trying to flee as the group came under attack from Kurdish forces. Source: Institute for the Study of War Alam Area of detail Camp Speicher IRAQ Tikrit Area still controlled by ISIS. Pro-Iraqi forces took control on March 12 Albu Ajeel Tigris R. Dour 5 Miles Alam Area of detail Camp Speicher IRAQ Tikrit Area still controlled by ISIS. Pro-Iraqi forces took control on March 12 Albu Ajeel Tigris R. 5 Miles Dour Alam Area of detail Camp Speicher IRAQ Tikrit Area still controlled by ISIS. Pro-Iraqi forces took control on March 12 Albu Ajeel Tigris R. 5 Miles 1. On March 2, fighters approach Tikrit from the south and east, clearing villages along the way to Alam and Dour, two ISIS strongholds. 2. ISIS uses snipers, roadside bombs and other guerrilla tactics to keep pro-government forces from advancing. ISIS wired a major bridge to Tikrit from Tuz Khurmato with bombs. 3. Pro-government forces take control of Dour and Alam. As they consolidate their hold on the area, they uncover two mass graves in Albu Ajeel, believed to be the remains of soldiers massacred last summer by ISIS. 4. Pro-government forces seize large sections of Tikrit on March 10 and 11. On March 12, they take control of the western neighborhoods, leaving only the presidential palace complex and small pockets of the city center in ISIS hands. 1. On March 2, fighters approach Tikrit from the south and east, clearing villages along the way to Alam and Dour, two ISIS strongholds. 2. ISIS uses snipers, roadside bombs and other guerrilla tactics to keep pro-government forces from advancing. ISIS wired a major bridge to Tikrit from Tuz Khurmato with bombs. 3. Pro-government forces take control of Dour and Alam. As they consolidate their hold on the area, they uncover two mass graves in Albu Ajeel, believed to be the remains of soldiers massacred last summer by ISIS. 4. Pro-government forces seize large sections of Tikrit on March 10 and 11. On March 12, they take control of the western neighborhoods, leaving only the presidential palace complex and small pockets of the city center in ISIS hands. 1. On March 2, fighters approach Tikrit from the south and east, clearing villages along the way to Alam and Dour, two ISIS strongholds. 2. ISIS uses snipers, roadside bombs and other guerrilla tactics to keep pro-government forces from advancing. ISIS wired a major bridge to Tikrit from Tuz Khurmato with bombs. 3. Pro-government forces take control of Dour and Alam. As they consolidate their hold on the area, they uncover two mass graves in Albu Ajeel, believed to be the remains of soldiers massacred last summer by ISIS. 4. Pro-government forces seize large sections of Tikrit on March 10 and 11. On March 12, they take control of the western neighborhoods, leaving only the presidential palace complex and small pockets of the city center in ISIS hands. Source: Institute for the Study of War, Long War Journal, Iraqi government, Asa’ab Ahl al-Haq TURKEY 100 miles IRAN Hasaka Mosul IRAQI KURDISTAN Raqqa Aleppo ISIS support areas Kirkuk Deir al-Zour Areas under full ISIS control Euphrates Tigris LEBANON SYRIA IRAQ Damascus Baghdad Rutba Falluja ISRAEL JORDAN 100 miles TURKEY IRAQI KURDISTAN IRAN Hasaka Mosul Erbil Aleppo Raqqa SYRIA IRAQ Kirkuk Deir al-Zour Areas under full ISIS control Euphrates Abu Kamal Tigris ISIS support areas LEBANON Damascus Baghdad Rutba Falluja ISRAEL JORDAN 100 miles Mosul Raqqa Aleppo IRAQI KURDISTAN IRAQ SYRIA Euphrates Tigris full ISIS control Damascus Baghdad Source: Institute for the Study of War TURKEY Area of detail Aleppo Ras Al-Ayn SYRIA Tel Tamr Residents reported ISIS bombed the bridge over the river on Tuesday. Damascus Tel Shamiram ISIS reported to be holding about 60 women and children captive. Tel Goran Tel Hormizd SYRIA Hasaka There are 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur River. 5 Miles TURKEY SYRIA Ras Al-Ayn Tel Tamr Residents reported ISIS bombed the bridge over the river on Tuesday. Tel Shamiram ISIS reported to be holding about 60 women and children captive. Tel Goran Tel Hormizd There are 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur River. Sources: Assyrian Human Rights Network, Assyrian International News Agency, Syriac Military Council North Africa and Middle East The largest share of foreign fighters counted in the study came from Tunisia, a country with one of the more stable post-Arab Spring governments. Saudi Arabia’s share is also large, but recent government crackdowns have stanched the flow of fighters. Former Soviet States Decades of officially sanctioned religious persecution, ethnic conflicts and Islamic radicalization are key reasons for the flow of fighters from post-Soviet states, according to Peter Neumann, director of the I.C.S.R. Many fighters have combat experience from decades of war in the Caucasus. Western Europe The war in Syria has drawn young Europeans, many of whom have used cheap flights to Turkey as a route to Syria. Mr. Neumann noted that some small European countries like Belgium produce a remarkable number of fighters in relation to their population. Other regions American law enforcement officials have focused not only on monitoring social media networks more aggressively, but also on educating state and local authorities about ways to identify potential travelers. Low end of estimate range China 300 BOSNIA 330 UzBEK. 500 PakISTAN 500 TurkM. U.K. 500 to 600 Ger. 500 to 600 Turkey 600 Russia 800 to 1,500 France 1,200 Morocco 1,500 Tunisia 1,500 tO 3,000 FIGHTERS CAN. Kos. KaZ. SWE. Aus. BelgIUM 440 Tajikistan U.S. 100 fighters NETH. Spain Kyrgyzstan UKRAINE Jordan 1,500 Den. Aus. FinL. Saudi Arabia 1,500 to 2,500 Italy Lebanon 900 Egypt Libya 600 Sudan Alg. Isr. Yem. Somalia Kuwait North Africa and Middle East The largest share of foreign fighters counted in the study came from Tunisia, a country with one of the more stable post-Arab Spring governments. Saudi Arabia’s share is also large, but recent government crackdowns have stanched the flow of fighters. Morocco 1,500 Tunisia 1,500 tO 3,000 FIGHTERS Jordan 1,500 Saudi Arabia 1,500 to 2,500 Lebanon 900 Egypt Libya 600 Sudan Alg. Isr. Yem. Somalia Kuwait Former Soviet States Decades of officially sanctioned religious persecution, ethnic conflicts and Islamic radicalization are key reasons for the flow of fighters from post-Soviet states, according to Peter Neumann, director of the I.C.S.R. Many fighters have combat experience from decades of war in the Caucasus. UzBEK. 500 TurkM. Russia 800 to 1,500 KaZ. Low end of estimate range Tajikistan UKRAINE Western Europe The war in Syria has drawn young Europeans, many of whom have used cheap flights to Turkey as a route to Syria. Mr. Neumann noted that some small European countries like Belgium produce a remarkable number of fighters in relation to their population. U.K. 500 to 600 Ger. 500 to 600 France 1,200 SWE. BelgIUM 440 NETH. Spain Den. Aus. FinL. Italy Other regions American law enforcement officials have focused not only on monitoring social media networks more aggressively, but also on educating state and local authorities about ways to identify potential travelers. China 300 BOSNIA 330 PakISTAN 500 Turkey 600 CAN. Kos. Aus. U.S. 100 fighters U.K. 5-600 Ger. 5-600 UzBEK. 500 PakI. 500 BOS. China Turkey 600 TURKM. Russia 800 TO 1,500 France 1,200 Morocco 1,500 Tunisia 1,500 tO 3,000 FIGHTERS CAN. KaZ. SWE. Belg. U.S. 100 fighters NETH. Jordan 1,500 Low end of estimate range Saudi Arabia 1,500 to 2,500 Leb. 900 Libya Isr. Sources: Country of origin data from Peter Neumann, King's College London; the International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence 200 feet damaged buildings CRATER damaged buildings Destruction in Kobani Damage in the eastern part of the city. Several buildings appear to be destroyed or heavily damaged. 200 FEET Turkey ground Carved out for car storage border crossing syria Border Crossing Hundreds of vehicles clustered around a border crossing point on the Syrian side of the border. 200 feet Refugee Camp Refugee Camp Over the border in Turkey, a camp has been created for the increasing numbers of refugees fleeing the violence. 200 feet damaged buildings CRATER damaged buildings Destruction in Kobani Damage in the eastern part of the city. Several buildings appear to be destroyed or heavily damaged. Satellite images by DigitalGlobe via Unitar/Unosat Rawa Area of detail Ana IRAQ Haditha Samarra Barwana Tharthar Lake Al-Asad air base Hit Kubaysa Control ISIS Iraqi government Contested Captured or contested since Sept. 1 Baghdad Ramadi Falluja Area of detail Haditha IRAQ Tharthar Lake Al-Asad air base Hit Kubaysa Control ISIS Iraqi government Contested Captured or contested since Sept. 1 Ramadi Falluja Source: Institute for the Study of War CITY OF KOBANI Border SYRIA Mine fields Turkish tanks TURKEY Turkish Kurds watch the Islamist assault to the city while Turkish tanks stand. SYRIA CITY OF KOBANI Border Mine fields Turkish tank TURKEY Turkish Kurds watch the Islamist assault to the city while Turkish tanks stand. Photograph by Umit Bektas/Reuters. Turkish armored units enforced border crossing. TURKEY Mursitpinar Minefields Minefields SYRIA To Jerablus A huge plume rose in this area Wednesday. Black ISIS flag visible on hilltop. Kobani Airstrikes in this area have targeted tanks and armed vehicles. Five latest U.S. airstrikes targeted areas south of the city only. 1 mile 500 miles to Baghdad Turkish armored units enforced border crossing. Mursitpinar TURKEY Minefields To Jarablus SYRIA A huge plume rose in this area Wednesday. Black ISIS flag visible on hilltop. Kobani Five latest U.S. airstrikes targeted areas south of the city only. 1 mile Source: Satellite image by DigitalGlobe, via Google Earth Turkey 843,779 Konya Refugee camps Tabriz Adana Iran Aleppo IRAQI KURDISTAN Raqqa Mosul Kirkuk syria Lebanon 1,185,275 Euphrates ISIS-controlled areas Beirut Mediterranean Sea Damascus Baghdad Iraq 215,303 as of Sept. 15 Tel Aviv Amman Najaf Gaza israel Egypt 139,625 Jordan 615,792 saudi arabia Number of refugees Cairo Low high Refugee camps NO. of refugees Turkey 843,779 Low high Aleppo Raqqa syria Lebanon 1,185,275 Damascus Iraq 215,303 as of Sept. 15 israel Egypt 139,625 Jordan 615,792 saudi arabia Source: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Source: Based on Defense Department statements 100 miles TURKEY Attack on Khorasan group in this area Hasaka IRAN Mosul IRAQI KURDISTAN Aleppo Raqqa Kirkuk Deir al-Zour Locations hit by airstrikes IRAQ Euphrates Abu Kamal Tigris SYRIA LEBANON Approximate areas under full Islamic State control Damascus Baghdad Falluja ISRAEL JORDAN TURKEY 100 miles IRAQI KURDISTAN IRAN Mosul Hasaka Aleppo Erbil Raqqa Attack on Khorasan group near this area Kirkuk IRAQ Deir al-Zour Locations hit by airstrikes Euphrates Abu Kamal Tigris SYRIA Approximate areas under full Islamic State control LEBANON Damascus Baghdad Falluja Rutba Attacks on Khorasan ISIS locations hit by airstrikes TURKEY IRAN IRAQI KURDISTAN Aleppo Raqqa IRAQ Deir al-Zour Homs Tigris SYRIA Tigris Euphrates Baghdad Damascus 100 miles Sources: Defense Department; Institute for the Study of War Sources: Satellite images on left from DigitalGlobe, via Google Earth; images of targeted structures from the Defense Department Strikes Reported Each Day Area of detail AuG. 8 IRAQ Baghdad KURDISH AUTONOMOUS REGION Mosul Dam Mosul Mount Sinjar AUG. 18 Erbil 0 15 Iraq Kirkuk Near Mount Sinjar At least 13 strikes Near Mosul Dam At least 35 Strikes Near Erbil At least 20 Strikes Strikes Reported Each Day 15 0 AUG. 18 Aug. 8 Area of detail Baghdad KURDISH AUTONOMOUS REGION Mosul Dam Mosul Mount Sinjar Erbil Iraq Near Mount Sinjar At least 13 strikes Near Erbil At least 20 Strikes Near Mosul Dam At least 35 Strikes Mount Sinjar Thousands of Yazidi refugees were trapped on the mountain after fleeing Islamist fighters. Targets included: 3 armed vehicles 5 personnel carriers 1 armored vehicle 1 Humvee 3 trucks 1 mortar position 4 checkpoints Mosul Dam American strikes allowed Kurdish fighters to regain the dam, which they lost two weeks ago. Targets included: 19 armed vehicles 7 Humvees 2 antiaircraft guns 1 armored vehicle 9 fighting positions 3 checkpoints 2 I.E.D.s 2 personnel carriers Erbil Strikes in this area helped repel militants approaching the regional capital. Targets included: 7 armed vehicles 1 mobile artillery 7 vehicles 2 mortar positions 1 mine-resistant vehicle Note: Strikes were not reported comprehensively day by day, so some may be missing from daily tallies. SYRIA IRAQ NORTH Red dots are vehicles visible in satellite imagery About 13 miles TO BORDER Sinuni ROADBLOCKS Kursi ABOUT 70 MILES TO MOSUL 25 miles Bara Sinjar Jaddala Sinjar Mountains Elevation 4,449 ft. Area visible Area of assessed satellite imagery Mosul IRAQ Baghdad ABOUT 250 MILES TO BAGHDAD Area of assessed satellite imagery SYRIA IRAQ Sinjar Red indicates vehicles on mountain Sinjar Mountains Elevation 4,449 ft. Source: Vehicle locations from satellite imagery by DigitalGlobe via Amnesty International January 1 to May 31 Over 151 days, families, on average, were displaced daily. Anbar Province 321,210 families 
 
 known displaced Months before it became something of a household name, ISIS took control of much of Anbar Province, displacing an estimated 500,000 Iraqis. June 1 to July 31 Over 61 days, families, on average, were displaced daily. Anbar Province 321,210 families 
 
 known displaced Another half-million Iraqis were displaced in June and July when ISIS captured Mosul and advanced south toward Baghdad. August 1 to August 6 Over 6 days, families, on average, were displaced daily. Anbar Province 321,210 families 
 
 known displaced In early August, ISIS seized several towns under Kurdish control, displacing Yazidis, Christians and other religious minority groups. Although the United Nations says that the capture of Sinjar may have displaced that number is not yet included in the official data. Note: The United Nations estimates one Iraqi family is equal to six individuals. Source: IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix Mosul Islamist militants have controlled Iraq's second-largest city since June 10. Mosul Dam Captured by militants on Thursday. ABOUT 150 MILES TO BAGHDAD Iraq Mahmour Bombed by American jets on Friday. Gwer Bombed on Thursday. About 40 miles TO ERBIL About 35 miles TO ERBIL Kalak Historic citadel of Erbil United States Consulate is in this neighborhood Chammah ERBIL AIRPORT Area visible Erbil Erbil Kurdish capital IRAQ Baghdad NORTH Mahmour Bombed by American jets on Friday. Gwer Bombed on Thursday. Mosul Islamist militants have controlled Iraq's second-largest city since June 10. Mosul Dam Captured by militants on Thursday. Iraq About 40 miles TO ERBIL About 35 miles TO ERBIL Historic citadel of Erbil United States Consulate is in this neighborhood Area visible Erbil Kurdish capital Erbil IRAQ Baghdad NORTH Mahmour Bombed by American jets on Friday. Mosul Dam Captured by militants on Thursday. Gwer Bombed on Thursday. Mosul About 40 miles TO ERBIL Erbil Kurdish capital Iraq NORTH Sources: American and Kurdish officials Click group names for more details. Naqshbandia Order/J.R.T.N. » Baathist Active in: Diyala, Salahuddin ISIS relationship: Fighting Established in 2007, the group's reputed leader was a high-ranking deputy in Saddam Hussein's regime. The group is believed to have initially assisted ISIS in its push south from Mosul. 1920 Revolution Brigades » Baathist Active in: Diyala, Anbar ISIS relationship: Fighting in some areas Formed by disaffected Iraqi Army officers who were left without jobs after the Americans dissolved the military in 2003. Islamic Army of Iraq » Salafist Active in: Diyala, Salahuddin, Anbar ISIS relationship: Periodic fighting ISIS has targeted family members of the leadership of this group, which has long had a presence in Diyala and has been involved in past sectarian battles. Mujahedeen Army » Salafist Active in: Diyala, Salahuddin, Anbar ISIS relationship: Truce A nationalist Islamist group that advocates overthrowing the Iraqi government. Khata'ib al-Mustapha » Salafist Active in: Diyala ISIS relationship: Truce Islamic militants who fight against the government. Army of Muhammad » Salafist Active in: Anbar ISIS relationship: Allies Islamic militants who fight against the government. Khata'ib Tawrat al-Ashreen » Anti-government Sunni Tribe Active in: Diyala, Salahuddin ISIS relationship: Truce Sunni tribes opposed to the Iraqi government. Ansar al-Islam/Ansar al-Sunna » Islamist Jihadist Active in: Diyala ISIS relationship: Fighting An Al Qaeda-affiliated group that has led a number of deadly attacks in Iraq over the years. Turkey PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH AREAS Iran Al Kasik military base Rabia Aleppo Mosul Sinjar Kirkuk Syria Tuz Khurmatu Leb. Khanaqin Kurdish autonomous region Damascus Baghdad Iraq JORDAN Amman Najaf Turkey PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH AREAS Iran Al Kasik military base Rabia Sinjar Mosul Syria Kirkuk Tuz Khurmatu Khanaqin Kurdish autonomous region Baghdad Iraq Najaf Sources: Dr. M. Izady, Columbia University’s Gulf 2000 project, Caerus Associates, Long War Journal, Institute for the Study of War turkey Syrian RefugeesMost of the Syrians who have been displaced have fled to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Nearly all of those fleeing to Iraq have gone to the Kurdish autonomous region. iran Mosul Raqqa Erbil Aleppo Kurdish autonomous region Kirkuk syria lebanon Damascus Thousands of refugees at destination Baghdad iraq ISRAEL jordan 10 100 Saudi Arabia turkey iran Displaced IraqisThe rapid advance of Sunni militants from Mosul toward Baghdad displaced an estimated 500,000 Iraqis in recent weeks, adding to the hundreds of thousands displaced earlier this year. Many have gone to the already crowded camps in the Kurdish autonomous region. Mosul Raqqa Erbil Aleppo Kirkuk syria leb. Damascus iraq Baghdad jordan Amman ISRAEL Saudi Arabia THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES AT DESTINATION 10 100 Mosul Aleppo syria Kurdish autonomous region Leb. Damascus Baghdad iraq jordan Syrian RefugeesMost of the Syrians who have been displaced have fled to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Nearly all of those fleeing to Iraq have gone to the Kurdish autonomous region. turkey Mosul Erbil Aleppo Kirkuk syria leb. Damascus iraq Baghdad jordan Displaced IraqisThe rapid advance of Sunni militants from Mosul toward Baghdad displaced an estimated 500,000 Iraqis in recent weeks, adding to the hundreds of thousands displaced earlier this year. Many have gone to the already crowded camps in the Kurdish autonomous region. Source: United Nations Ottoman Empire 
 
 Sykes-Picot Agreement 
 
 Current Boundaries Ottoman provincial borders Current borders Adana Turkey Persia Aleppo Aleppo Nicosia Mosul Iran Zor Beirut Syria Lebanon Beirut Lebanon Damascus Baghdad Syria Iraq Beirut Baghdad Tel Aviv Amman Jerusalem Israel Basra Jordan Jerusalem Saudi Arabia Kuwait Kuwait Ottoman provincial borders Current borders Turkey Adana Persia Aleppo Aleppo Mosul Zor Iran Beirut Syria Lebanon Lebanon Damascus Baghdad Syria Beirut Baghdad Iraq Tel Aviv Israel Basra Jerusalem Saudi Arabia Sykes-Picot Current borders Turkey French Control Aleppo Independent Arab states under French influence Nicosia Iran Syria Lebanon British Control Beirut Damascus Iraq Independent Arab states under British influence International Zone Baghdad Tel Aviv Amman British Control Jerusalem Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia Kuwait Kuwait Sykes-Picot Current borders Turkey French Control Independent Arab states under French influence Iran Syria British Control Damascus Baghdad Iraq International Zone Independent Arab states under British influence British Control Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia Shiite Sunni Shiite/Sunni mixed Other religions Kurdish Turkey Aleppo Nicosia Iran Syria Lebanon Beirut Damascus Iraq Baghdad Tel Aviv Amman Jerusalem Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia Kuwait Kuwait Shiite Sunni Shiite/Sunni mixed Other religions Kurdish Turkey Aleppo Iran Syria Lebanon Damascus Baghdad Iraq Tel Aviv Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia Ottoman Empire Before WWI, the Middle East was divided into several administrative provinces under the Ottoman Empire. Modern Iraq is roughly made up of the Ottoman provinces of Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra. Sykes-Picot Agreement In 1916, Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot, British and French diplomats, secretly drew the first map to divide up the Ottoman Empire, beginning a series of border negotiations that led to the establishment of British and French mandates in 1920. Religious and Ethnic Regions Today Iraq's current boundaries bring together different, often adversarial, groups under one mixed national identity that has been strained by conflict. Still, if Iraq were to split, partition would not be so simple as drawing new borders along religious or ethnic lines. Sources: Rand, McNally & Co. World Atlas (1911 Ottoman Empire map); United Kingdom National Archives (Sykes-Picot); Dr. M. Izady, Columbia University’s Gulf 2000 project (religion and ethnicity map) Key 
 
 Sunni majority Shiite majority Christian majority Mixed areas 2003 Sadr City Kadhimiya Adhamiya BAGHDAD Green Zone Baghdad Airport Tigris River 2 miles 2009 Adhamiya Huriya BAGHDAD Green Zone Amiriya Baghdad Airport Tigris River 2 miles 2003: Before the Invasion Before the American invasion, Baghdad’s major sectarian groups lived mostly side by side in mixed neighborhoods. The city’s Shiite and Sunni populations were roughly equal, according to Juan Cole, a University of Michigan professor and Middle East expert. 2009: Violence Fuels Segregation Sectarian violence exploded in 2006. Families living in areas where another sect was predominant were threatened with violence if they did not move. By 2009 Shiites were a majority, with Sunnis reduced to about 10 percent to 15 percent of the population. • Kadhimiya, a historically Shiite neighborhood, is home to a sacred Shiite shrine. • Adhamiya, a historically Sunni neighborhood, contains the Abu Hanifa Mosque, a Sunni landmark. • The Green Zone became the heavily fortified center of American operations during the occupation. • Sadr City was the center of the insurgent Mahdi Army, led by the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr. • Huriya was transformed in 2006 when the Mahdi Army pushed out hundreds of families in a brutal spasm of sectarian cleansing. • More than 8,000 displaced families relocated to Amiriya, the neighborhood where the Sunni Awakening began in Baghdad. • Adhamiya, a Sunni island in Shiite east Baghdad, was walled and restricted along with other neighborhoods in 2007 for security. • Neighborhoods east of the Tigris River are generally more densely populated than areas to the west. 2003 Sadr City Kadhimiya Adhamiya BAGHDAD Green Zone Baghdad Airport Tigris River 2 miles 2003: Before the Invasion Before the American invasion, Baghdad’s major sectarian groups lived mostly side by side in mixed neighborhoods. The city’s Shiite and Sunni populations were roughly equal, according to Juan Cole, a University of Michigan professor and Middle East expert. • Kadhimiya, a historically Shiite neighborhood, is home to a sacred Shiite shrine. • Adhamiya, a historically Sunni neighborhood, contains the Abu Hanifa Mosque, a Sunni landmark. • The Green Zone became the heavily fortified center of American operations during the occupation. • Sadr City was the center of the insurgent Mahdi Army, led by the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr. 2009 Adhamiya Huriya BAGHDAD Green Zone Amiriya Baghdad Airport Tigris River 2 miles 2009: Violence Fuels Segregation Sectarian violence exploded in 2006. Families living in areas where another sect was predominant were threatened with violence if they did not move. By 2009 Shiites were a majority, with Sunnis reduced to about 10 percent to 15 percent of the population. • Huriya was transformed in 2006 when the Mahdi Army pushed out hundreds of families in a brutal spasm of sectarian cleansing. • More than 8,000 displaced families relocated to Amiriya, the neighborhood where the Sunni Awakening began in Baghdad. • Adhamiya, a Sunni island in Shiite east Baghdad, was walled and restricted along with other neighborhoods in 2007 for security. • Neighborhoods east of the Tigris River are generally more densely populated than areas to the west. Source: Dr. M. Izady, Columbia University’s Gulf 2000 project ABOUT 100 MILES TO MOSUL ABOUT 50 MILES TO KIRKUK Power plant 1 Tigris River Oil refinery Employee dormitories Village Employee village Village Smoke plume at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Baiji ABOUT 115 MILES TO BAGHDAD 1 MILE 1 MILE Oil refinery Power plant ABOUT 100 MILES TO MOSUL Employee dormitories Village Employee village Tigris River Village Baiji Smoke plume at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. ABOUT 115 MILES TO BAGHDAD Source: Satellite image by NASA Key Towns attacked Bomb attacks ABOUT 140 MILES TO MOSUL Miles from Central Baghdad ABOUT 80 MILES TO KIRKUK Several clashes occurred at the outskirts of Samarra, where Shiite militiamen have been sent to protect the Al-Askari Shrine. 70 Adhaim June 15 Samarra JUNE 11, 13, 17 60 Al-Mutasim JUNE 14 Dhuluiya JUNE 12 50 Ishaqi Muqdadiya The Iraqi army retook control of Ishaqi and Muqdadiya on June 14. In Muqdadiya, a Shiite militia assisted the government forces. 40 Dujail JUNE 14 30 Militants took control of several neighborhoods in Baquba on June 16 but were repulsed by security officers after a three-hour gun battle. Later, 44 Sunni prisoners were killed in a government-controlled police station. Baquba June 16, 17 Tarmiyah JUNE 11 20 Falluja and many towns in the western province of Anbar have been under ISIS control for about six months. Tigris River 10 At least five bomb attacks occurred in Baghdad, mainly in Shiite areas, in the week after the rebel group took Mosul. The bodies of four young men were found shot on June 17 in a neighborhood controlled by Shiite militiamen. Sadr City Kadhimiya Falluja Bab al-Sheikh Al-Bab Al-Sharqi Baghdad Saidiyah Key Towns attacked Bomb attacks Miles from Central Baghdad 70 Adhaim Samarra 60 Al-Mutasim Dhuluiya Muqdadiya Ishaqi 40 Dujail 30 Baquba Tarmiyah 20 10 Falluja Baghdad Several clashes occurred at the outskirts of Samarra, where Shiite militiamen have been sent to protect the Al-Askari Shrine. The Iraqi army retook control of Ishaqi and Muqdadiya on June 14. In Muqdadiya, a Shiite militia assisted the government forces. Militants took control of several neighborhoods in Baquba on June 16 but were repulsed by security officers after a three-hour gun battle. Later, 44 Sunni prisoners were killed in a government-controlled police station. At least five bomb attacks occurred in Baghdad, mainly in Shiite areas, in the week after the rebel group took Mosul. The bodies of four young men were found shot on June 17 in a neighborhood controlled by Shiite militiamen. Falluja and many towns in the western province of Anbar have been under ISIS control for about six months. Sources: Institute for the Study of War, Long War Journal 100 80 60 Attacks That Could Be Attributed to ISIS 40 20 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Mosul Kirkuk Baghdad IRAQ Basra 2004 51 attacks 2005 58 attacks 2006 5 attacks 2007 56 attacks 2008 62 attacks 2009 78 attacks 2010 86 attacks 2011 34 attacks 2012 603 attacks 2013 419 attacks 100 80 Attacks That Could Be Attributed to ISIS 60 40 20 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 Mosul Baghdad IRAQ Basra 2004 51 attacks 2005 58 attacks 2006 5 attacks 2007 56 attacks 2008 62 attacks 2009 78 attacks 2010 86 attacks 2011 34 attacks 2012 603 attacks 2013 419 attacks 2004-05 The group emerges as “Al Qaeda in Iraq” following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Its goal is to provoke a civil war. 2006-07 The group’s February 2006 bombing of one of Iraq's most revered Shiite shrines ignites sectarian violence across the country. After merging with several other Sunni insurgent groups, it changes its name to the Islamic State of Iraq. 2008-10 I.S.I. claims responsibility for more than 200 attacks, many in densely-populated areas around Baghdad. 2011-12 The group is relatively quiet for most of 2011, but re-emerges after American troops withdraw from Iraq. 2013 Seeing new opportunities for growth, I.S.I. enters Syria’s civil war and changes its name to reflect a new aim of establishing an Islamic religious state spanning Iraq and Syria. Its success in Syria bleeds over the border to Iraq. 2004-05 The group emerges as “Al Qaeda in Iraq” following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Its goal is to provoke a civil war. 2006-07 The group’s February 2006 bombing of one of Iraq's most revered Shiite shrines ignites sectarian violence across the country. After merging with several other Sunni insurgent groups, it changes its name to the Islamic State of Iraq. 2008-10 I.S.I. claims responsibility for more than 200 attacks, many in densely-populated areas around Baghdad. 2011-12 The group is relatively quiet for most of 2011, but re-emerges after American troops withdraw from Iraq. 2013 Seeing new opportunities for growth, I.S.I. enters Syria’s civil war and changes its name to reflect a new aim of establishing an Islamic religious state spanning Iraq and Syria. Its success in Syria bleeds over the border to Iraq. 2004-05 The group emerges as “Al Qaeda in Iraq” following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Its goal is to provoke a civil war. 2006-07 The group’s February 2006 bombing of one of Iraq's most revered Shiite shrines ignites sectarian violence across the country. After merging with several other Sunni insurgent groups, it changes its name to the Islamic State of Iraq. 2008-10 I.S.I. claims responsibility for more than 200 attacks, many in densely-populated areas around Baghdad. 2011-12 The group is relatively quiet for most of 2011, but re-emerges after American troops withdraw from Iraq. 2013 Seeing new opportunities for growth, I.S.I. enters Syria’s civil war and changes its name to reflect a new aim of establishing an Islamic religious state spanning Iraq and Syria. Its success in Syria bleeds over the border to Iraq. 2004-05 The group emerges as “Al Qaeda in Iraq” following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Its goal is to provoke a civil war. 2006-07 The group’s February 2006 bombing of one of Iraq's most revered Shiite shrines ignites sectarian violence across the country. After merging with several other Sunni insurgent groups, it changes its name to the Islamic State of Iraq. 2008-10 I.S.I. claims responsibility for more than 200 attacks, many in densely-populated areas around Baghdad. 2011-12 The group is relatively quiet for most of 2011, but re-emerges after American troops withdraw from Iraq. 2013 Seeing new opportunities for growth, I.S.I. enters Syria’s civil war and changes its name to reflect a new aim of establishing an Islamic religious state spanning Iraq and Syria. Its success in Syria bleeds over the border to Iraq. Note: Before 2011, less information was available on who was responsible for attacks, so the number of ISIS attacks from 2004 to 2010 may be undercounted. Sources: Global Terrorism Database, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (attack data); Congressional Research Service; Council on Foreign Relations; Long War Journal; Institute for the Study of War turkey Hasakah Mosul Erbil Aleppo Raqqa Kirkuk Deir al-Zour iran Baiji syria Tikrit Homs Jalawla lebanon Samarra Dhuluiya Damascus iraq Baghdad israel saudi arabia jordan kuwait turkey Hasakah Mosul Aleppo Kirkuk syria iran Tikrit Homs leb. Samarra Damascus Baghdad iraq israel saudi arabia jordan kuwait Source: “The Islamic State in Iraq Returns to Diyala” by Jessica Lewis, Institute for the Study of War Mosul Kirkuk Baiji Tikrit Dhuluiyah Samarra Ramadi Baghdad Iraq Falluja Tigris Euphrates River Basra Predominant group Sunni Arab Shiite Arab Kurd 50 miles Source: Dr. M. Izady, Columbia University’s Gulf 2000 project Mosul Iraq Mosul Then: American forces took control of Mosul in April 2003. What followed was a period of relative peace until mid-2004 when periodic insurgent attacks flared, resulting in a large-scale battle in November. The death toll reached dozens, including a number of Iraqi soldiers who were publicly beheaded. Related Article » Now: In perhaps the most stunning recent development, Sunni militants drove Iraqi military forces out of Mosul on June 10, forcing a half-million residents to flee the city. Iraqi soldiers reportedly dropped their weapons and donned civilian clothing to escape ISIS insurgents. Moises Saman for The New York Times Falluja Iraq Falluja Then: Falluja played a pivotal role in the American invasion of Iraq. It was the site of a number of large-scale battles with insurgents. In April 2003, it became a hot bed for controversy when American soldiers opened fire on civilians after claiming they had been shot at. Incessant fighting left the city decimated, leveling a majority of its infrastructure and leaving about half its original population. Related Article » Now: Sunni militants seized Falluja’s primary municipal buildings on Jan. 3. The takeover came as an early and significant victory for the group, initiating a slew of attacks south of the city. Max Becherer for The New York Times Tikrit Iraq Tikrit Then: The home of Saddam Hussein, Tikrit became the target of an early American military operation during the Iraq war. Securing it proved cumbersome, however, as insurgents mounted continued attacks on the city for years afterward. On Dec. 14, 2003, Hussein was found hiding in an eight-foot deep hole, just south of Tikrit. Related Article » Now: Tikrit fell to ISIS insurgents on June 11, clearing a path for them to march on to Baiji, home to one of Iraq’s foremost oil-refining operations. After taking the city in less than a day, militants continued the fight just south, in Samarra. Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Samarra Iraq Samarra Then: Samarra is home to the Askariya shrine, which was bombed in 2006, prompting an extended period of sectarian violence across the country. Related Article » Now: After an initial attack on June 5, ISIS insurgents have now positioned themselves just miles away from Samarra. It is unclear whether they are capable of capturing the city in the coming days, but the Shiite shrine makes it a volatile target. Ayman Oghanna for The New York Times Videos How can ISIS be stopped? Cripple the organization’s oil smuggling trade. A look at the goals of of the three main groups in Iraq — Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish — as the country threatens to split apart along sectarian lines. Background on goals, tactics and the potential long-term threat to the United States from the militant group known as the Islamic State. The groups fighting for Kobani meet the politics behind Turkey’s decision to assist them in pushing back the Islamic State. 
 
 The sharp deterioration in Iraq represents a significant security issue to both the United States and Iran, adversaries in a range of disputes, including the Syria conflict. Both were seeking ways to help avoid a collapse in the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a Shiite whose marginalization of Sunnis and other sects has been blamed by some critics for the dysfunction that has steadily worsened in Iraq since the American departure. 
 
 For Iran’s Shiite leaders, the Iraq crisis represents a direct Sunni militant threat on their doorstep. The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Gen. Qassim Suleimani, an architect of military strategy who has helped President Bashar al-Assad of Syria in his war against Sunni radicals, arrived in Baghdad this week and has been reviewing how Iraq’s Shiite militias are prepared to defend Baghdad and other areas. 
 
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 “The mobilization of the Shia militias, and Qassim Suleimani’s presence, is a very good indication of how seriously they’re taking this,” Hayder al-Khoei, an associate fellow at the London-based Chatham House research group, said in an interview with Iranwire, a website run by expatriate Iranian journalists. But reports that Iran had sent hundreds of Quds fighters into Iraq were not confirmed. 
 
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 Even with their shared interests in a stable Iraq, there was no overt sign of cooperation or communication between the United States and Iran on the crisis. Marie Harf, a State Department spokeswoman, told reporters on Friday that “we are not talking to the Iranians about Iraq.” 
 
 Thousands of Iraqi Shiites responded to the call by Ayatollah Sistani, 83, a respected figure among Iraq’s rival sects, whose statements carry particular weight among the Shiite majority. The statement, read by his representative during Friday Prayer, said it was “the legal and national responsibility of whoever can hold a weapon to hold it to defend the country, the citizens and the holy sites.” 
 
 The representative of Ayatollah Sistani, Sheikh Abdul Mehdi al-Karbalaie, spoke in Karbala, a southern city regarded by Shiites as one of Iraq’s holiest. The sheikh said volunteers “must fill the gaps within the security forces.” 
 
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 The statement stopped short of calling for a general armed response to the incursion led by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which has emerged as one of the most potent opposition forces in the Syrian civil war and which now controls large areas of both Syria and northern Iraq. 
 
 The insurgents have pledged to march on Baghdad, but seizing and controlling the sprawling Iraqi capital, with its large population of Shiites, is likely to prove much more difficult than advancing across a Sunni heartland with little sympathy for the central government. The sheikh emphasized that all Iraqis should join the fight, pulling together, so the country does not slide into all-out sectarian warfare. But in a time of mounting frictions and deepening distrust between the sects, it appeared unlikely that many Sunnis would answer the ayatollah’s call. Many Sunnis feel little sympathy either for the government or for the extremists of ISIS. 
 
 Volunteers began to appear at the southern gate to Baghdad, which leads to the predominantly Shiite south of the country, within an hour after Sheikh Abdul broadcast Ayatollah Sistani’s call. 
 
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 For the first time since the Sunni insurgents routed the government security forces on Tuesday in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, their southward advance appeared to stall. The insurgents fanned out on Friday to the east of the Tigris River, and at least temporarily seized two towns near the Iranian border, Sadiyah and Jalawla. But security officials in Baghdad said government troops, backed by Kurdish forces, counterattacked several hours later and forced the insurgents to withdraw. 
 
 Shiite militia leaders reported they had also collaborated with security forces to take back control of Dhuluiya, a town about 60 miles north of Baghdad — the southernmost point of the Sunni insurgent advance. 
 
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 Iraqiya, the state television channel, reported Friday night that a son of Ezzat al-Douri, one of the top leaders of the Hussein era who was never captured by the Americans and is collaborating with the ISIS fighters, was killed in an Iraqi Air Force strike on Tikrit. There was no immediate way to corroborate the report. 
 
 In its language and tone, Ayatollah Sistani’s statement portrayed it as a religious and patriotic act to volunteer either for the Iraqi Army or for a Shiite militia, two forces that are becoming difficult to distinguish. 
 
 When the ayatollah’s representative, Sheikh Abdul, said, “Whoever can hold a weapon has to volunteer to join the security forces,” the call was greeted with cheers and shouts of “It will be done!” 
 
 People in Ayatollah Sistani’s office said the statement was a response to one issued by the leadership of ISIS threatening to seize not just the predominantly Sunni areas of northern Iraq, but also Baghdad and the cities of Karbala and Najaf, which are sacred to Shiite Muslims. 
 
 “Iraq and the Iraqi people are facing great danger,” Sheikh Abdul said. “The terrorists are not aiming to control just several provinces. They said clearly they are targeting all other provinces, including Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf. So the responsibility to face them and fight them is the responsibility of all, not one sect or one party. The responsibility now is saving Iraq, saving our country, saving the holy places of Iraq.” ||||| Baghdad, Iraq Iraq's most senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric urged followers to take up arms against a full-blown Sunni militant insurgency to topple Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a conflict that threatens civil war and a possible break-up of the country. 
 
 In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was reviewing military options, short of sending combat troops, to help Iraq fight the insurgency but warned any U.S. action must be accompanied by an Iraqi effort to bridge political divisions. (Full Story) 
 
 In a rare intervention at Friday prayers in the holy city of Kerbala, a message from Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who is the highest religious authority for Shi'ites in Iraq, said people should unite to fight back against a lightning advance by militants from the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. 
 
 Fighters under the black flag of ISIL are sweeping south towards the capital Baghdad in a campaign to recreate a mediaeval caliphate carved out of fragmenting Iraq and Syria that has turned into a widespread rebellion against Maliki. 
 
 "People who are capable of carrying arms and fighting the terrorists in defense of their country ... should volunteer to join the security forces to achieve this sacred goal," said Sheikh Abdulmehdi al-Karbalai, delivering Sistani's message. 
 
 Those killed fighting ISIL militants would be martyrs, he said as the faithful chanted in acknowledgement. 
 
 Amidst the spreading chaos, Iraqi Kurdish forces seized control of Kirkuk, an oil hub just outside their autonomous enclave that they have long seen as their historical capital, three days after ISIL fighters captured the major city of Mosul. 
 
 There are concerns that sectarian and tribal conflict might dismember Iraq into Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish entities. The atmosphere in Baghdad was tense on Friday, the streets were empty, residents were stock-piling food and arming themselves. 
 
 Reflecting fears that ISIL's insurgency could erupt into a civil war and disrupt oil exports from a major OPEC member state, the price of Brent crude oil edged further above $113 a barrel on Friday, up about $4 since the start of the week. 
 
 MALIKI MUST ACT 
 
 Obama told reporters at the White House he would not send U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq but had asked his national security team to prepare "a range of other options" to help Iraqi security forces confront fighters from ISIL. He made clear he expected steps toward Iraqi political reconciliation. 
 
 "The United States is not simply going involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the Iraqis that gives us some assurance that they are prepared to work together," he said. 
 
 The U.S. president was facing a chorus of criticism from Republican opponents who say that his missteps in responding to the Syrian civil war and dithering on Iraq has left the United States with few options. 
 
 "We need to be hitting these columns of terrorists marching on Baghdad with drones now," said Representative Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Influential Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham also called for air strikes to deal the insurgents "a crippling blow." 
 
 American officials have watched in dismay as the U.S.-trained and -armed Iraqi security forces have crumbled and fled in the face of an onslaught by the militants. Obama noted the United States had invested a lot of money and training in the Iraqi security forces. 
 
 "The fact that they are not willing to stand and fight and defend their posts ... indicates that there's a problem with morale, there's a problem in terms of commitment," Obama said. "Ultimately, that's rooted in the political problems that have plagued the country for a very long time." 
 
 Western officials have long complained that Maliki has done little to heal sectarian rifts that have left many of Iraq's minority Sunnis, cut out of power since Saddam Hussein's demise, aggrieved and vengeful - a mood exploited by ISIL. 
 
 A U.S. counterterrorism official questioned whether ISIL had the capacity to turn "tactical victories in Iraq into strategic gains," noting that with just a few thousand fighters it was relying on Sunni nationalist groups that might not back it in the long run. 
 
 "There are still plenty of things that could go wrong for a group that typically has done well on its home Sunni turf but, if Syria is any guide, is hardly invincible when confronted in unfriendly territory by capable and motivated fighters," the official said. 
 
 The ISIL advance has been joined by former Baathist officers who were loyal to Saddam as well as disaffected armed groups and tribes who want to oust Maliki. Cities and towns that have fallen to the militants so far have been mainly Sunni and the gains have largely been uncontested. 
 
 It had long been known that Mosul, a city of two million people, harbored not just ISIL but also the Baathist militant group the Naqshbandi Army, believed to be headed by Ezzat Ibrahim al Douri, a former close aide to Saddam. 
 
 After the fall of Saddam to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, officers from the old Iraqi army who had not been reconciled to the new order collected in the Mosu l area. The city's proximity to the border with Syria allowed Baathists - Saddam's political party - and Islamic radicals freedom of movement. 
 
 U.S. AND IRAN INTERESTS COINCIDE 
 
 On the advance, a member of the Mujahideen Army, consisting of ex-military officers and more moderate Islamists, said: "We were contacted by ISIL around three days before the attack on Mosul asking us to join them. Speaking honestly we were reluctant to join as we were not satisfied they could do the job and defeat thousands of government troops in Mosul. 
 
 "When ISIL entered Mosul and swept out government forces positions in hours ... Only then did we decide to join forces and fight with them as long as we had a sole objective to kick Maliki forces out of Mosul and remove injustice." 
 
 The pace of events means that now, an alarmed Shi'ite Islamic Republic of Iran, which in the 1980s fought Saddam for eight years at a time when the Sunni Iraqi leader enjoyed quiet U.S. support, may be willing to cooperate with the "Great Satan" Washington to bolster mutual ally Maliki. 
 
 The idea is being discussed internally among the Tehran leadership, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We can work with Americans to end the insurgency in the Middle East," the official said, referring to the sudden escalation of conflict in Iraq. (Full Story) 
 
 The U.S. State Department said Washington was not discussing Iraq with Tehran. 
 
 Thrusting further to the southeast after their seizure of Mosul in the far north and Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, ISIL entered two towns in Diyala province bordering Iran. 
 
 Saadiyah and Jalawla had fallen to the Sunni Muslim insurgents after government troops fled their positions. 
 
 Iraqi army units subsequently subjected Saadiyah and Jalawla to artillery fire from the nearby town of Muqdadiya. ISIL fighters eventually withdrew from Jalawla and well-organized Kurdish Peshmerga fighters took over. Iraqi army helicopters fired rockets at one of the largest mosques in Tikrit on Friday, according to witnesses. There were no further details available. 
 
 "CHANCE TO REPENT" 
 
 Giving a hint of their vision of a caliphate, ISIL published sharia rules for the realm they have carved out in northern Iraq, including a ban on drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and an edict on women to wear only all-covering, shapeless clothing. 
 
 ISIL militants were reported to have executed soldiers and policemen after their seizure of some towns. 
 
 On Friday, ISIL said it was giving soldiers and policemen a "chance to repent ... For those asking who we are, we are the soldiers of Islam and have shouldered the responsibility to restore the glory of the Islamic Caliphate”. 
 
 Residents near the border with Syria, where ISIL has exploited civil war to seize wide tracts of that country's east, watched militants bulldozing tracks through frontier sand berms. 
 
 ISIL has battled rival rebel factions in Syria for months and occasionally taken on President Bashar al-Assad's forces. 
 
 ISIL's Syria branch is now bringing in weapons seized in Iraq from retreating government forces, according to Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. But its fighters appear to have held back in Syria, especially in their eastern stronghold near the Iraqi border, while their Iraqi wing was making rapid military gains. 
 
 At Baiji, near Kirkuk, ISIL fighters ringed Iraq's largest refinery, underlining the incipient threat to the oil industry. 
 
 Further south, militant forces extended their advance to towns about an hour's drive from Baghdad, where Shi'ite militia were mobilizing for what could be a replay of the ethnic and sectarian bloodbath of 2006 and 2007. Trucks carrying Shi'ite volunteers in uniform rumbled to front lines to defend Baghdad. 
 
 SADR HOLDS FIRE 
 
 Despite the call to arms from Sistani, influential Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who led revolts against U.S. forces, has not called on his followers to mobilize. At Friday prayers, his faithful were told to wait for directions in the coming days on how to form “peace regiments” that will defend holy sites. 
 
 Maliki's army already lost control of much of the Euphrates valley west of the capital to ISIL last year. With the evaporation of the army in the Tigris valley to the north, the government could be left with just Baghdad and areas south - home to the Shi'ite majority in Iraq's 32 million population. 
 
 ISIL has set up military councils to run the towns they captured. “'Our final destination will be Baghdad, the decisive battle will be there' - that’s what their leader kept repeating," said a regional tribal figure. 
 
 (Additional reporting by Oliver Holmes in Beirut, Ziad al-Sinjary in Mosul Isabel Coles in Arbil, Steve Holland and Mark Hosenball in Washington; Writing by Peter Millership and David Alexander; Editing by Mark Heinrich and David Storey)
– Earlier this week, Sunni militants aligned with al-Qaeda captured so much of Iraq so quickly that they seemed poised to roll into Baghdad, too. But the movement seems to have stalled about 60 miles to the north, reports the New York Times. The Iraqi army has actually won back some territory earlier claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Gen. Major-General Qassim al-Moussawi tells Reuters. And another general declares that "the security in Baghdad is 100% stable." Other developments: Volunteers: Hundreds of young volunteers in Baghdad have heeded a call from Iraq's top Shiite cleric to take up arms, reports AP. "By God's will, we will be victorious," says one. "We will not be stopped by the ISIL or any other terrorists." Iran: President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is "ready to help Iraq" as soon as Iraqi authorities request it, reports the Washington Post. US military: The Pentagon ordered an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf to give President Obama more options as he weighs an American response, reports al.com.