FRIDAY NEWS, JUNE 27, 2014 - IRAQ AND SYRIA SITUATIONER: VICE News is covering the developing situation in Iraq from on the ground and across the globe. We will be updating this page throughout the day, so check back regularly for updates. Violent sectarian tensions in Iraq between the nations ruling Shiite groups and Sunni militants advancing in the north are threatening to throw the country back into the grip of civil war. Hundreds of young Iraqis rallied to a call-to-arms by the nations top Shiite cleric, who asked them to fight the militant forces spearheaded by al Qaeda splinter group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The group has seized large swathes of Iraq — and also controls territory in neighboring Syria — including the country’s second-largest city, Mosul. Now, ISIS threatens Baghdad. Check out The Battle for Iraq, VICE Newss video dispatches from inside the country, here. And keep up to date on the latest as the story progresses on the VICE News live blog… Friday 6/27 1:21 PM Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry signaled that the US hopes that moderate rebels fighting in Syria may be persuaded to fight in Iraq against ISIS and other extremist militants. President Obama recently requested $500 million to set up a Pentagon program to expand training for moderate Syrian factions in that countrys civil war. Friday 6/27 1:14 PM A few US armed drones are being flown over Baghdad in case US troops or diplomats require protection, an anonymous US official told AFP. The US has deployed 180 military personnel in advisory roles to provide support for Iraqi forces battling ISIS-led Sunni militants. Friday 6/27 10:54 AM Multiple news agencies are reporting that Saudi Arabia has placed its military on high alert in response to recent developments in Iraq and Syria. Saudi Arabias state-run media reported Thursday that King Abdullah has ordered that all necessary measures be taken to protect Saudi Arabia against terror threats. The news agency went on to say Anticipating (that) the terrorist organizations or others might carry out actions that might disturb the security of the homeland, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has ordered taking all necessary measures to protect the gains of the homeland and its territories in addition to the security and stability of the Saudi people. Saudi Arabia shares long, largely unmonitored, borders with Syria and Iraq, and has been engaged in a long running battle with al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) which is operating out of remote parts of Yemen, on Saudi Arabias southern border. Friday 6/27 9:52 AM Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today that analysis of photographs and satellite imagery strongly indicates ISIS killed between 160 and 190 men in Tikrit after seizing the city on June 11. ISIS claimed to have exterminated 1,700 Shiite soldier on June 12 and subsequently posted photographs apparently showing the executed men. “The photos and satellite images from Tikrit provide strong evidence of a horrible war crime that needs further investigation,” HRW emergencies director Peter Bouckaert said. “ISIS apparently executed at the very least 160 people in Tikrit.” HRW said that the real number of victims could be much higher, but that difficulty in accessing the area and locating bodies made a full investigation impossible. Friday 6/27 7:15 AM President Barack Obama asked Congress for $500 million yesterday to train and arm moderate Syrian opposition groups, which as well as being opposed to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, have also been fighting ISIS in the north of the country for some time. In a statement, NSC Spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden reaffirmed prior commitments that US troops would not see service in Syria, but said military aid would help Syrians battle Assads forces as well as hardline militants. ...this request marks another step toward helping the Syrian people defend themselves against regime attacks, push back against the growing number of extremists like ISIL (ISIS) who find safe-haven in the chaos, and take their future into their own hands by enhancing security and stability at local levels. Friday 6/27 5:52 AM Support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki from his vital Shiite ally Iran is wavering,the Associated Press reported. Sources told AP that Iranian president Hassan Rouhani thinks Maliki should stand down to avoid Iraq splitting into three, although Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would like to see him remain in his post. High-ranking Iranian general Ghasem Soleimani recently returned home after meetings with Shiite politicians with a list of possible alternative candidates for Malikis position, the sources added, and he is expected back in Baghdad soon to inform Iraqi politicians of Irans favorite prime ministerial candidate
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 11:08:04 +0000