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Iraq Baghdadis stockpile food in fear of ISIS advance Iraq Baghdadis stockpile food in fear of ISIS advance
(35 minutes later)
Residents of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, are stockpiling food and water as Islamist militants move closer.Residents of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, are stockpiling food and water as Islamist militants move closer.
Fighting between ISIS and the security forces supported by Shia militias has raged around the city of Baquba, only 60km (35 miles) away from the capital. Fighting between ISIS and the security forces, supported by Shia militias, has raged around the city of Baquba, only 60km (35 miles) away from the capital.
Correspondents say that the capital is tense with the the insurgents closing in from the north and from the west. Correspondents say that the capital is tense with the insurgents closing in from the north and from the west.
Iraqi forces have been engaged in heavy clashes with the rebels who have seized several key cities in the past week.Iraqi forces have been engaged in heavy clashes with the rebels who have seized several key cities in the past week.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron will today hold talks with his senior security advisers to discuss the crisis, warning that ISIS represented "a real threat to our country". UK Prime Minister David Cameron will hold talks with his senior security advisers on Wednesday to discuss the crisis, warning that ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) represents "a real threat to our country".
Strong languageStrong language
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has fired senior officers for failing to halt the sweeping advance by Sunni Islamist rebels.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has fired senior officers for failing to halt the sweeping advance by Sunni Islamist rebels.
In unusually strong language on Tuesday he has accused Saudi Arabia of backing ISIS. In unusually strong language on Tuesday, he accused Saudi Arabia - which is largely Sunni - of backing ISIS.
With Shia areas of the capital bombed almost daily, correspondents say that inhabitants of Baghdad have developed a siege mentality. With Shia areas of the capital bombed almost daily, correspondents say inhabitants of Baghdad have developed a siege mentality.
People with enough money have started to stockpile essential items of food, correspondents say, which has increased prices dramatically.People with enough money have started to stockpile essential items of food, correspondents say, which has increased prices dramatically.
Four army commanders were dismissed because they did not perform "their national duty", a government statement said on Tuesday. Four army commanders were dismissed because they did not perform "their national duty", a government statement said.
Mr Maliki and other senior figures of his Shia government were joined by Sunni leaders in a call for "national unity", after talks in Baghdad on Tuesday evening. Mr Maliki and other senior figures of his Shia government were joined by Sunni leaders in a call for "national unity", after talks in Baghdad.
They urged Iraqis to avoid sectarian grievances and said individuals with no official state function were banned from carrying weapons.They urged Iraqis to avoid sectarian grievances and said individuals with no official state function were banned from carrying weapons.
The militants, led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), took control of the northern cities of Mosul and Tikrit in a rapid advance last week, and Tal Afar on Monday. The militants, led by the ISIS, took control of the northern cities of Mosul and Tikrit in a rapid advance last week, and Tal Afar on Monday.
They also briefly captured parts of the city of Baquba - just 60km (35 miles) from Baghdad - in an overnight assault, before government troops and allied Shia militia pushed them back on Tuesday. They also briefly captured parts of Baquba before government troops and allied Shia militia pushed them back on Tuesday.
Qasem Suleimani, the commander of an elite unit of Iran's revolutionary guards, is reported to be in Baghdad, helping military and Shia leaders co-ordinate their campaign against the rebels.Qasem Suleimani, the commander of an elite unit of Iran's revolutionary guards, is reported to be in Baghdad, helping military and Shia leaders co-ordinate their campaign against the rebels.
Analysis: John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor, BaghdadAnalysis: John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor, Baghdad
Many Sunnis, particularly the conservative ones who started turning against al-Qaeda eight years ago, and enabled the US forces to leave Iraq with what seemed at the time to be dignity, are not at all happy that ISIS should control their towns and villages.Many Sunnis, particularly the conservative ones who started turning against al-Qaeda eight years ago, and enabled the US forces to leave Iraq with what seemed at the time to be dignity, are not at all happy that ISIS should control their towns and villages.
But the danger of the present fight-back by Shia volunteers is that they will victimise ordinary Sunnis, and make them feel that ISIS is the only group that can protect them.But the danger of the present fight-back by Shia volunteers is that they will victimise ordinary Sunnis, and make them feel that ISIS is the only group that can protect them.
In other words, this has the potential to turn into a clear-cut religious war, with the possibility of mass "cleansing" of civilians and brutality on a large scale.In other words, this has the potential to turn into a clear-cut religious war, with the possibility of mass "cleansing" of civilians and brutality on a large scale.
Court martialCourt martial
The Iraqi officers fired on Tuesday include the top commander for Nineveh, the first province where ISIS fighters made major gains.The Iraqi officers fired on Tuesday include the top commander for Nineveh, the first province where ISIS fighters made major gains.
Another senior officer would be court-martialled in absentia for deserting his position and fleeing a battle, the government said.
All eyes are now on Baquba, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Baghdad; if the city falls to the rebels, it will give them a clear route into the capital.
The prime minister of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, Nechirvan Barzani, earlier told the BBC he believed Iraq might not remain united as Sunni areas felt neglected by the Shia-dominated Iraqi government.
The ISIS advance has also raised international concern over regional stability.
Their fighters have been accused of carrying out hundreds of summary executions since their offensive began last week, and Sunni militants have posted photos online appearing to show fighters carrying out massacres of captured Iraqi soldiers.
Although Washington has already ruled out sending in ground troops to fight alongside Iraqi troops, drone strikes remain a possibility.
The aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush has been deployed to the Gulf, along with two other US warships.
In other developments:In other developments:
ISIS in IraqISIS in Iraq
ISIS grew out of an al-Qaeda-linked organisation in IraqISIS grew out of an al-Qaeda-linked organisation in Iraq
Iraq 'massacre' photos: What we knowIraq 'massacre' photos: What we know