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Iraq crisis: Fierce battles for Baiji and Tal Afar Iraq crisis: Fierce battles for Baiji and Tal Afar
(35 minutes later)
Islamist-led militants and pro-government forces are engaged in fierce battles for the Baiji oil refinery and Tal Afar airport in northern Iraq.Islamist-led militants and pro-government forces are engaged in fierce battles for the Baiji oil refinery and Tal Afar airport in northern Iraq.
Baiji, Iraq's biggest refinery, is surrounded by the rebels, who say they have seized most of Tal Afar airport.Baiji, Iraq's biggest refinery, is surrounded by the rebels, who say they have seized most of Tal Afar airport.
The fighting comes a day after the US said it would send some 300 military advisers to help the fight against the insurgents.The fighting comes a day after the US said it would send some 300 military advisers to help the fight against the insurgents.
President Barack Obama stressed that US troops would not fight in Iraq.President Barack Obama stressed that US troops would not fight in Iraq.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to travel to Iraq soon to press for a more representative cabinet, hoping this could ease tensions between the country's rival Muslim sects.US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to travel to Iraq soon to press for a more representative cabinet, hoping this could ease tensions between the country's rival Muslim sects.
The country's highest Shia religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has called for a new government to be set up quickly now the results of recent elections have been ratified.The country's highest Shia religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has called for a new government to be set up quickly now the results of recent elections have been ratified.
He said a new government needed to aim for "broad national acceptance" and to "remedy past mistakes".He said a new government needed to aim for "broad national acceptance" and to "remedy past mistakes".
Correspondents say that will be seen by many as criticism of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.Correspondents say that will be seen by many as criticism of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
Mr Maliki has been accused of pursuing anti-Sunni policies, pushing some Sunni militants to join the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), which has made rapid advances in recent days.Mr Maliki has been accused of pursuing anti-Sunni policies, pushing some Sunni militants to join the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), which has made rapid advances in recent days.
About 500,000 people have fled their homes in the country's second-largest city, Mosul, which ISIS captured last week.About 500,000 people have fled their homes in the country's second-largest city, Mosul, which ISIS captured last week.
The UN estimates that that brings to about one million the number of people displaced within Iraq as a result of violence this year.
Analysis: John Simpson, BBC News, BaghdadAnalysis: John Simpson, BBC News, Baghdad
President Obama's statement wasn't the lifeline the Iraqi government had hoped for. They wanted immediate airstrikes to stop ISIS in its tracks.President Obama's statement wasn't the lifeline the Iraqi government had hoped for. They wanted immediate airstrikes to stop ISIS in its tracks.
Instead, they will get up to 300 military advisers, who will restore the backbone to the Iraqi National Army which it has been missing since the Americans withdrew. The promise of air strikes is there, but attacks by US planes or missiles will, it seems, be dependent on some clear improvement in the way Iraq is governed - even though Mr Obama wouldn't say so.Instead, they will get up to 300 military advisers, who will restore the backbone to the Iraqi National Army which it has been missing since the Americans withdrew. The promise of air strikes is there, but attacks by US planes or missiles will, it seems, be dependent on some clear improvement in the way Iraq is governed - even though Mr Obama wouldn't say so.
He believes Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has endangered Iraq by ignoring Sunni concerns and governing in the interests of the Shia majority. Mr Maliki's supporters deny this and say he won't resign, but rivals to him are said to be emerging.He believes Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has endangered Iraq by ignoring Sunni concerns and governing in the interests of the Shia majority. Mr Maliki's supporters deny this and say he won't resign, but rivals to him are said to be emerging.
The least Mr Maliki will have to do is create a new and more inclusive government. Only then, perhaps, will the bombing start.The least Mr Maliki will have to do is create a new and more inclusive government. Only then, perhaps, will the bombing start.
Can US military advisers ease crisis?Can US military advisers ease crisis?
ISIS says it has downed two military helicopters around the Baiji refinery but this has not been independently confirmed.ISIS says it has downed two military helicopters around the Baiji refinery but this has not been independently confirmed.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil, northern Iraq, says it is thought the militants may have captured part of the vast oil complex.The BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil, northern Iraq, says it is thought the militants may have captured part of the vast oil complex.
They have also seized a disused chemical weapons factory in Muthanna, 70km (45 miles) north-west of the capital, Baghdad.They have also seized a disused chemical weapons factory in Muthanna, 70km (45 miles) north-west of the capital, Baghdad.
The US says it does not believe the site contains any material that the insurgents could use to make chemical weapons.The US says it does not believe the site contains any material that the insurgents could use to make chemical weapons.
But state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We remain concerned about the seizure of any military site by" ISIS.But state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We remain concerned about the seizure of any military site by" ISIS.
Iraq has asked the US for air strikes against the Sunni militants.Iraq has asked the US for air strikes against the Sunni militants.
Mr Obama said the US was prepared for "targeted and precise military action, if and when" required, but he insisted there was "no military solution" to the crisis.Mr Obama said the US was prepared for "targeted and precise military action, if and when" required, but he insisted there was "no military solution" to the crisis.
He also pointedly urged the Shia-led Iraqi government to be "inclusive".He also pointedly urged the Shia-led Iraqi government to be "inclusive".
"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.
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 know Jihadi groups around the world
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".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".
On Wednesday, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, warned that the US military still lacked sufficient intelligence to launch air strikes. 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 launch air strikes. He told a congressional hearing that pilots would have difficulty knowing who they were attacking from the air.
Iraq's sectarian splitIraq's sectarian split
Sunnis and Shias: What's the story?Sunnis and Shias: What's the story?
Jeremy Bowen: Why Sunni-Shia tensions have returnedJeremy Bowen: Why Sunni-Shia tensions have returned
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.