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-27970894

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Iraq crisis: John Kerry in Baghdad as Isis seizes more towns Iraq crisis: John Kerry in Baghdad as Isis seizes more towns
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, as Sunni insurgents expand their control of towns across north-western Iraq.US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, as Sunni insurgents expand their control of towns across north-western Iraq.
In Egypt on Sunday, Mr Kerry warned that Sunni militants Isis' "ideology of violence and repression is a threat not only to Iraq but to the entire region".In Egypt on Sunday, Mr Kerry warned that Sunni militants Isis' "ideology of violence and repression is a threat not only to Iraq but to the entire region".
On Sunday rebels - spearheaded by Isis militants - captured border crossings to Syria and Jordan.On Sunday rebels - spearheaded by Isis militants - captured border crossings to Syria and Jordan.
The strategically important airport in the northern Tal Afar has also fallen.The strategically important airport in the northern Tal Afar has also fallen.
The town controls the main road from the Syrian border to Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, which was captured by the rebels two weeks ago.The town controls the main road from the Syrian border to Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, which was captured by the rebels two weeks ago.
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 they were 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 they were hoping to use it as a springboard to recapture the city of Mosul, says the BBC's Jim Muir in northern Iraq.
In other developments:In other developments:
Analysis by Jim Muir, BBC News, in IrbilAnalysis by Jim Muir, BBC News, in Irbil
The Iraqi government has lost all the crossing points into Syria and the only one into Jordan. Now Isis which is present there can connect up with its fellow militants on the Syrian side of the border. It is a very serious blow to the Iraqi government and it is important to have lost control of the borders symbolically as well as strategically. 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.
Politically, it is a complete debacle, it is Iraq falling to pieces. The question is, can it be somehow pulled back from the brink? It was held together by Saddam Hussein, with a very tight dictatorial grip. Once that was broken, and all the mechanisms of control were destroyed and the Iraqi army disbanded, there was a move towards disintegration and chaos. 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.
John Kerry is trying to persuade politicians to get their act together, to overcome sectarian differences and pull the rug from under the extremists of Isis. That is theoretically possible, but it needs Iran and America to co-operate - Iran is immensely influential with the Shia side - and at the moment it is not looking too good on that front after the latest statements from Tehran. 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 Iraqi PM Maliki 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.
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.
US-Iran differencesUS-Iran differences
Since the fall of Mosul in early June, Isis have helped win large areas in the west and north.Since the fall of Mosul in early June, Isis have helped win large areas in the west and north.
They have taken four strategically important towns in the predominantly Sunni Anbar province - Qaim, Rutba, Rawa and Anah - in the last two days.They have taken four strategically important towns in the predominantly Sunni Anbar province - Qaim, Rutba, Rawa and Anah - in the last two days.
Gunmen were said to have captured the border posts of Walid, on the Syrian frontier, and Turaibil, on the Jordanian border, on Sunday after government forces pulled out.Gunmen were said to have captured the border posts of Walid, on the Syrian frontier, and Turaibil, on the Jordanian border, on Sunday 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.
Speaking in Cairo on Sunday, Mr Kerry urged Iraq's leaders "to rise above sectarian motivations and form a government that is united in its determination to meet the needs and speak to the demands of all of their people".Speaking in Cairo on Sunday, Mr Kerry urged Iraq's leaders "to rise above sectarian motivations and form a government that is united in its determination to meet the needs and speak to the demands of all of their people".
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".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.
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.
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.