Baghdad: The al-Qaida-inspired group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) that captured two key Sunni-dominated cities in Iraq this week, vowed on Thursday to march on to Baghdad, raising fears about the Shiite-led government's ability to slow the assault following the insurgents' lightning gains.
“We will march toward Baghdad because we have an account to settle there,” an ISIL spokes-man said. The ISIL on Thursday attacked an Iraqi security checkpoint in Tarmiyah, 50 km north of Baghdad; they already hold Dhuluiyahm 90 km from the capital. The insurgents had on Wednesday taken Saddam Hussein’s hometown Tikrit as soldiers abandoned their posts. On Tuesday, they had captured Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.
Baghdad does not appear to be in imminent danger, although Sunni insurgents have stepped up car bombings and suicide attacks in the capital in recent months. The capital, with its large Shia population, would be a far harder target for the militants. So far, ISIL fighters have stuck to the Sunni heartland.
Iraqi foreign minister Hosyhar Zebari acknowledged that the security forces which Washington invested billions in training and equipping, had simply melted away.
Lawmakers tried to hold a session to approve giving emergency powers to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday, but too few showed up and they were unable to reach quorum to vote.
Tikrit: Iraqi forces launched at least four air strikes on militants occupying ousted dictator Saddam Hussein's palace compound in the city of Tikrit on Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether the strikes against the militants, who took the city a day before, were launched by helicopters or planes.
ISIS in terror rich list with $425m bank heist
Washington: Elements of the terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, committed one of the largest bank heists ever recorded in West Asia. As the ISIL rolled into Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul — an important oil hub — gunmen are reported to have made a stopover at the central bank, taking away 500 billion Iraqi dinars, or $425 million.
A Washington Post report quoted provincial governor of Nineveh, Atheel al-Nujaifi, confirming that insurgents had hit “numerous banks” and had made off with a “large quantity of gold bullion.” The $425 million-heist will make the ISIS one of the richest terror groups. A New York Times analysis said the al-Qaeda had a one-time operating budget of between $70 million and $400 million. The Hezbollah has about $500 million.
1,000s queue up in iraq
Iraq: Thousands of Iraqis men, young and old have answered the beleaguered government’s call to arms and signed up to protect the capital, and country, from ISIS militants. The response came after the embattled government pleaded with Iraqis to sign up and help battle insurgents, the Daily Mail and AP reported. On the other hand, the ISIL issued a call to arms. “Continue your march as the battle is not yet raging,” an ISIL spokesman said. “It will rage in Baghdad and Karbala. So be ready for it. Put on your belts and get ready.”
