This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27932443

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Iraq crisis: US ready for 'targeted military action' Iraq crisis: US to send 'military advisers'
(about 1 hour later)
President Barack Obama says the US is ready for "targeted and precise military action" against advancing Islamists in Iraq, "if and when the situation on the ground requires it". President Barack Obama says the US will send 300 military advisers to Iraq to help fight Islamist-led insurgents.
But he stressed "American forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq". Mr Obama said the US was prepared for "targeted and precise military action, if and when... the situation on the ground requires it", but added that US troops would not fight in Iraq.
He said that up to 300 military advisers would be sent to help the Iraqi government's efforts. He went on to insist there was "no military solution" and urged the Shia-led Iraqi government to be "inclusive".
However, he insisted there was "no military solution" and said the crisis needed a political solution. Iraq has asked the US for air strikes against the Sunni militants.
Iraq's government had asked the US for air strikes against the militants, who are led by the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and have made major territorial gains in the past 10 days. The gunmen - spearheaded by the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) - have made major territorial gains in the past 10 days.
Mr Obama said it was not the US's place to choose Iraq's leaders, but urged them to pursue an "inclusive agenda". Mr Obama said it was not the US's place to choose Iraq's leaders.
Al-Qaeda in 2014: Where does it stand?Al-Qaeda in 2014: Where does it stand?
By Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondentBy Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent
There is little left of the original al-Qaeda organisation as founded in 1989 by Abdullah Azzam and Osama Bin Laden in the wake of the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan. Bin Laden himself was tracked down and killed in Pakistan in 2011.There is little left of the original al-Qaeda organisation as founded in 1989 by Abdullah Azzam and Osama Bin Laden in the wake of the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan. Bin Laden himself was tracked down and killed in Pakistan in 2011.
What is left of "Core al-Qaeda", as it is known, is believed to be based in Pakistan's tribal region after fleeing Afghanistan in 2001.What is left of "Core al-Qaeda", as it is known, is believed to be based in Pakistan's tribal region after fleeing Afghanistan in 2001.
But the world's counter-terrorism officials have little cause to celebrate.But the world's counter-terrorism officials have little cause to celebrate.
Rather than eliminating al-Qaeda, they have caused it to atomise and disperse, morphing into several different organisations around the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with large numbers of jihadist sympathisers in Europe.Rather than eliminating al-Qaeda, they have caused it to atomise and disperse, morphing into several different organisations around the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with large numbers of jihadist sympathisers in Europe.
That may be seen as a veiled criticism of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, who has been accused of anti-Sunni policies which have helped inflame unrest, correspondents say.That may be seen as a veiled criticism of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, who has been accused of anti-Sunni policies which have helped inflame unrest, correspondents say.
"The United States will not pursue military actions that support one sect inside of Iraq at the expense of another," Mr Obama said."The United States will not pursue military actions that support one sect inside of Iraq at the expense of another," Mr Obama said.
In addition to sending advisers, Mr Obama said that the US would be increasing intelligence efforts and setting up "joint operation centres in Baghdad and northern Iraq, to share intelligence and co-ordinate planning".In addition to sending advisers, Mr Obama said that the US would be increasing intelligence efforts and setting up "joint operation centres in Baghdad and northern Iraq, to share intelligence and co-ordinate planning".
Thousands of Shias from southern Iraq have volunteered to help the Iraqi army.Thousands of Shias from southern Iraq have volunteered to help the Iraqi army.
Shia militiamen have been sent to assist in the defence of the capital of Diyala province, which has effectively become a front line, and the nearby city of Samarra, site of a major Shia shrine.Shia militiamen have been sent to assist in the defence of the capital of Diyala province, which has effectively become a front line, and the nearby city of Samarra, site of a major Shia shrine.
On Wednesday, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, warned that the US military still lacked sufficient intelligence to take action. He told a congressional hearing that pilots would have difficulty knowing who they were attacking from the air.On Wednesday, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, warned that the US military still lacked sufficient intelligence to take action. He told a congressional hearing that pilots would have difficulty knowing who they were attacking from the air.
Gen Dempsey went on to say there was "very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq has failed its people. That is what has caused this problem".Gen Dempsey went on to say there was "very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq has failed its people. That is what has caused this problem".
Iraq's sectarian splitIraq's sectarian split
Sunnis and Shias: What's the story?Sunnis and Shias: What's the story?
Panic buying fuelPanic buying fuel
Mr Obama's statement came after a day in which fighting continued for control of the country's biggest oil refinery.Mr Obama's statement came after a day in which fighting continued for control of the country's biggest oil refinery.
Officials insisted security forces were "in full control" of the Baiji refinery, about 200km (130 miles) north of the capital Baghdad.Officials insisted security forces were "in full control" of the Baiji refinery, about 200km (130 miles) north of the capital Baghdad.
But militants led by ISIS have surrounded the facility.But militants led by ISIS have surrounded the facility.
For several days, production has been halted at Baiji, which supplies much of the country's domestic fuel.For several days, production has been halted at Baiji, which supplies much of the country's domestic fuel.
The shutdown has sparked panic buying in northern regions, with long queues at petrol stations in Iraqi Kurdistan, even thought there are not yet any real shortages, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Irbil.The shutdown has sparked panic buying in northern regions, with long queues at petrol stations in Iraqi Kurdistan, even thought there are not yet any real shortages, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Irbil.
Hostilities were also reported elsewhere in the north and west of the country on Thursday, including around the airport of the strategic town of Tal Afar.Hostilities were also reported elsewhere in the north and west of the country on Thursday, including around the airport of the strategic town of Tal Afar.
Police told the BBC that ISIS-led militants had killed 13 police officers and Kurdish peshmerga militiamen while capturing the village of Bayshir, south of the strategically important northern city of Kirkuk, over the past two days.Police told the BBC that ISIS-led militants had killed 13 police officers and Kurdish peshmerga militiamen while capturing the village of Bayshir, south of the strategically important northern city of Kirkuk, over the past two days.
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
Are you in Iraq or do you have family there? Have you been affected by recent events? You can send details of your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Iraq' in the subject line.Are you in Iraq or do you have family there? Have you been affected by recent events? You can send details of your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Iraq' in the subject line.