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Iraq crisis: John Kerry in Baghdad as Isis seizes more towns Iraq crisis: John Kerry in Baghdad as Isis rebels advance
(35 minutes later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has met key politicians in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, as Sunni insurgents expand their control of towns across the country's north-west. US Secretary of State John Kerry has met key politicians in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, as Sunni insurgents expand their control of towns across the country's north and west.
Rebels are said to be trying to take a dam near Haditha. Its destruction could damage the electrical grid. The rebels are bearing down on a dam near Haditha. Its destruction could damage the electrical grid.
On Sunday, Isis-led rebels captured border crossings to Syria and Jordan. They have taken border crossings to Syria and Jordan, leaving the western frontier out of government control.
The strategically important airport in the northern town of Tal Afar has also fallen to the rebels. The key airport in the northern town of Tal Afar has also fallen to the rebels.
There are reports that the town itself has also fallen to the rebels. Tal Afar controls the main road from the Syrian border to Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, which was captured by the rebels two weeks ago. There are reports the town itself has also fallen. Tal Afar controls the main road from the Syrian border to Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, which was captured by the rebels two weeks ago.
Heavily armed Iraqi troops are protecting the dam near Haditha. Residents told BBC Arabic that rebels had surrounded the town but had not yet entered it.Heavily armed Iraqi troops are protecting the dam near Haditha. Residents told BBC Arabic that rebels had surrounded the town but had not yet entered it.
An Iraqi military spokesman said that hundreds of Iraqi soldiers had been killed by Sunni Arab militants in the current offensive.An Iraqi military spokesman said that hundreds of Iraqi soldiers had been killed by Sunni Arab militants in the current offensive.
On Monday Mr Kerry met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to discuss the crisis.On Monday Mr Kerry met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to discuss the crisis.
The pair met for about 90 minutes, with Mr Kerry saying "that was good" as he left. Mr Kerry also met key Shia and Sunni figures.The pair met for about 90 minutes, with Mr Kerry saying "that was good" as he left. Mr Kerry also met key Shia and Sunni figures.
A statement from Mr Maliki's office after the meeting said the crisis in Iraq represented "a threat not only to Iraq but to regional and international peace".A statement from Mr Maliki's office after the meeting said the crisis in Iraq represented "a threat not only to Iraq but to regional and international peace".
Iraqi officials briefed on the meeting told Associated Press that Mr Maliki had asked for targeted US air strikes, but that Mr Kerry had expressed concern for civilian casualties. Iraqi officials briefed on the meeting told the Associated Press that Mr Maliki had asked for targeted US air strikes, but that Mr Kerry had expressed concern for civilian casualties.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Baghdad says Mr Kerry will have been pressing for a new government, more inclusive of minority Sunnis. The BBC's Richard Galpin in Baghdad says Mr Kerry will have been pressing for a new government, more inclusive of minority Sunni Arabs.
Prisoners killedPrisoners killed
Officials said the rebels of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant took two key crossings in Anbar on Sunday, a day after seizing one at Qaim, a town in the province that borders Syria.Officials said the rebels of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant took two key crossings in Anbar on Sunday, a day after seizing one at Qaim, a town in the province that borders Syria.
The capture of Tal Afar airport is a blow to the government as it was hoping to use it as a springboard to recapture the city of Mosul, says the BBC's Jim Muir in northern Iraq. The capture of Tal Afar airport is a blow to the government as it was hoping to use it as a springboard to recapture Mosul, says the BBC's Jim Muir in northern Iraq.
Police sources also told the BBC that 70 prisoners had been killed near the city of Hillah, south of Baghdad.Police sources also told the BBC that 70 prisoners had been killed near the city of Hillah, south of Baghdad.
The prisoners, who were all accused of terrorism, were being moved further south for security reasons when the convoy came under attack by gunmen.The prisoners, who were all accused of terrorism, were being moved further south for security reasons when the convoy came under attack by gunmen.
They were killed in the crossfire. Several policemen were injured and six of the gunmen were shot dead, police said.They were killed in the crossfire. Several policemen were injured and six of the gunmen were shot dead, police said.
Analysis by Jim Muir, BBC News, in IrbilAnalysis by Jim Muir, BBC News, in Irbil
John Kerry is trying to persuade politicians across the board to rise above the sectarian and ethnic divides and come together to pull their country back from the brink of fragmentation.John Kerry is trying to persuade politicians across the board to rise above the sectarian and ethnic divides and come together to pull their country back from the brink of fragmentation.
The question is no longer whether Iraq is splitting up - it is. The question is whether that process can somehow be reversed. The odds are not good.The question is no longer whether Iraq is splitting up - it is. The question is whether that process can somehow be reversed. The odds are not good.
A future Iraq will clearly have to involve a large measure of devolution, if not actual partition. It could happen bloodily, or by agreement.A future Iraq will clearly have to involve a large measure of devolution, if not actual partition. It could happen bloodily, or by agreement.
It is unlikely Mr Kerry will find a single Iraqi leader apart from Prime Minister Maliki himself who believes the incumbent premier is the man to lead a reconciliation process necessary for a political solution.It is unlikely Mr Kerry will find a single Iraqi leader apart from Prime Minister Maliki himself who believes the incumbent premier is the man to lead a reconciliation process necessary for a political solution.
But if Iran insists Mr Maliki has to stay - as it has with Bashar al-Assad in Syria - the chances of a settlement will be sharply reduced.But if Iran insists Mr Maliki has to stay - as it has with Bashar al-Assad in Syria - the chances of a settlement will be sharply reduced.
A solution would require some kind of understanding between the two major outside players, the US and Iran, but there is little sign of a meeting of minds so far.A solution would require some kind of understanding between the two major outside players, the US and Iran, but there is little sign of a meeting of minds so far.
Can Kerry pull Iraq back from the brink?Can Kerry pull Iraq back from the brink?
US-Iran differencesUS-Iran differences
Since the fall of Mosul in early June, Isis has helped win large areas in the west and north.Since the fall of Mosul in early June, Isis has helped win large areas in the west and north.
It has taken four strategically important towns in the predominantly Sunni Anbar province - Qaim, Rutba, Rawa and Anah - in the past two days. It has taken four strategically important towns in predominantly Sunni Anbar province - Qaim, Rutba, Rawa and Anah - in the past two days.
Gunmen were said to have captured the border posts of Walid, on the Syrian frontier, and Traybil, on the Jordanian border, on Sunday after government forces pulled out. Gunmen have captured the border posts of Walid, on the Syrian frontier, and Traybil, on the Jordanian border, after government forces pulled out.
The capture of frontier crossings could help Isis transport weapons and other equipment to different battlefields, analysts say.The capture of frontier crossings could help Isis transport weapons and other equipment to different battlefields, analysts say.
The US, which pulled out of Iraq in 2011, is deploying some 300 military advisers to Iraq to help in the fight against the insurgents.The US, which pulled out of Iraq in 2011, is deploying some 300 military advisers to Iraq to help in the fight against the insurgents.
But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he opposed any US intervention, and accused Washington of "seeking an Iraq under its hegemony and ruled by its stooges".But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he opposed any US intervention, and accused Washington of "seeking an Iraq under its hegemony and ruled by its stooges".
"The main dispute in Iraq is between those who want Iraq to join the US camp and those who seek an independent Iraq," he said, dismissing talk of sectarianism."The main dispute in Iraq is between those who want Iraq to join the US camp and those who seek an independent Iraq," he said, dismissing talk of sectarianism.
Are you in Iraq or do you have family in the country? You can contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Iraq' in the subject heading.Are you in Iraq or do you have family in the country? You can contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Iraq' in the subject heading.