Iraq–United States relations

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed concern about the situation of Turkmens after Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants extended their offensive to Mosul’s Telafer district in northern Iraq, where many Turkmens live.

Turkish General Staff has denied claims that four Turkish officers, who were alleged to provide training to radical Islamist militants, were arrested by Iraq's security forces in the city of Fallujah.

In a written statement issued on June 14, the general staff called the claims "groundless" and "unreal."

Shiite Iran offered Saturday to consider working with longtime foe the United States if it takes the lead in helping push back Sunni Arab militants who have seized a swathe of northern Iraq, as al-Maliki gov't readies offensive.

President Barack Obama said on June 13 he will take several days to review options for how the United States can help Iraq deal with a militant insurgency, saying any action would need significant involvement by Iraq itself.

Islamist fighters have managed to take over the Iraqi towns of Saadiya and Jalawla, days after Mosul and Tikrit fell into their hands.

Two videos have begun circulating on the Internet reportedly showing the Turkish consulate staff and Iraqi soldiers being taken hostage by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants following their offensive on Mosul.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that the spectacular seizure of Iraqi cities by advancing jihadist fighters was a clear sign of the "total failure" of the U.S.-led invasion.