The United States and Iran are moving rapidly to defend Iraq from rampaging Sunni Islamist insurgents, with Washington urgently considering air strikes on the jihadi militants and Tehran dispatching its foremost powerbroker to help arrange the defence of Baghdad.
Senior US officials told the Guardian that an air campaign was under serious discussion, possibly targeting fighters not just in Iraq but in Syria, where they have seized swaths of territory in the past two years. President Barack Obama said that decisions would be taken in the "days ahead".
Iran, meanwhile, moved to defend its own interests in its western neighbour, sending Major General Qassem Suleimani, an éminence grise of the Iranian revolutionary guards, to Baghdad to meet militia leaders and tribal chiefs in control of the Iraqi capital's vulnerable western approaches.
The scramble by two staunch adversaries to shore up the embattled Iraqi authorities underscored how seriously they take the situation in a country in danger of fragmentation as a result of this week's sudden advance by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis).
The jihadi grouping, consisting of no more than 7,000 men, has upended regional calculus this week, seizing key Iraqi cities and towns in the north, sending the army fleeing as they sweep south to within 50 miles of the capital. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are on the move, seeking safe haven. The UN has warned that the Isis fighters have committed summary executions and rape on their irresistible advance.
The United States and Iran are moving rapidly to defend Iraq from rampaging Sunni Islamist insurgents, with Washington urgently considering air strikes on the jihadi militants and Tehran dispatching its foremost powerbroker to help arrange the defenc
I always suspected their info was bad and that they were just after the money. Never thought they'd stoop to this. Imagine if they joined forces with Ricks? It doesn't bear thinking about.
I always suspected their info was bad and that they were just after the money. Never thought they'd stoop to this. Imagine if they joined forces with Ricks? It doesn't bear thinking about.
possibly targeting fighters not just in Iraq but in Syria,
which I effect means the US will be aiding Assad???????????
Although these guys are largely interesting in forming their own state in Syria There have bee shocking atrocities taking place in Syria for a while...the place is in the middle of a civil war
Still I am sure Obabma will welcome any suggestions Leopard...because I am not sure what he can do If he uses Air power, I desire he targets ISIS only, not ordinary Iraqis
possibly targeting fighters not just in Iraq but in Syria,which I effect means the US will be aiding Assad???????????Although these guys are largely interesting in forming their own state in SyriaThere have bee shocking atrocities taking place in Syr
Well there was not a lot of it in Iraq, before we overthrew Saddam was there.. We created a 'power vacuum', democracy is no good to these guys, what we are seeing is a struggle to fill that vacuum..
Well there was not a lot of it in Iraq, before we overthrew Saddam was there..We created a 'power vacuum', democracy is no good to these guys, what we are seeing is a struggleto fill that vacuum..
The fighting will only start for real when ISIS reach the Shia area Well they have declared the Shias as 'Infidels'
You will then have in effect a civil war
I don't think Obama has an easy problem here, what is the point in him trying to support a democracy which will only hold up if he leaves half the US army there, I don't think the US public want their boys involved any more
just my own opinion
The fighting will only start for real when ISIS reach the Shia areaWell they have declared the Shias as 'Infidels'You will then have in effect a civil warI don't think Obama has an easy problem here, what is the point in him trying to support a democ
mind you - on the positive side - they won't be attacking us soon as they are busy elsewhare - but when they finish , if they finish, then......................
mind you - on the positive side - they won't be attacking us soon as they are busy elsewhare - but when they finish , if they finish, then......................
Everyone knows they'll keep coming back but if Obama decides to bomb them he needs to ensure he wipes as many as possible off the face of the earth.
Slow them down with the only message they understand violence.
Everyone knows they'll keep coming back but if Obama decides to bomb them he needs to ensure he wipes as many as possible off the face of the earth.Slow them down with the only message they understand violence.
I believe we have to try to be fair though, two wrongs never make a right and trying to impose democracy on somewhere like Iraq...you might as well try to impose it on a Wolf pack!
Well maybe moisokI believe we have to try to be fair though, two wrongs never make a rightand trying to impose democracy on somewhere like Iraq...you might as well try to impose it on a Wolf pack!
the shia govt is corrupt and racist as fkwell its not racist - its sectarian the sunnis say they are embracing ISIS ??!!!good luck to them!!! but the oil price will determine western action