Islamic State of Iraq

Three militants disguised in military uniform killed at least eight people in a local government office in Amiriyat al-Falluja in western Iraq on June 9, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). 

Iraq's leader pleaded June 2 for more global support in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as he outlined plans to claw back territory from the jihadists in crunch talks with his allies in Paris.

Iraq's plan to recapture the western city of Ramadi from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadists will dominate a meeting June 2 in Paris of foreign ministers from the international coalition fighting the group, a senior US official said.

A growing number of extremist groups from Africa to southeast Asia are shifting their allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, leading to greater risks for "cross-pollination" among conflicts beyond Syria and Iraq, the head of Interpol said May 29.
                   

Iraqi forces closed in on Ramadi May 26 and launched an operation aimed at cutting off the jihadists in Anbar province before a major offensive to retake the city.

Vice President Joe Biden reassured Iraq's government on May 25 of US support in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), telephoning Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi with thanks for "the enormous sacrifice and bravery of Iraqi forces" one day after Defense Secretary Ash Carter questioned the Iraqi military commitment.
     

The United States has done "nothing" to help Iraq's army battle jihadists in Ramadi, according to a senior Iranian general involved in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

US President Barack Obama is poised to quicken the pace of weapons supplies and training to Iraqi tribes, while eyeing a rapid offensive to recapture Ramadi from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
 

Shiite militias converged on Ramadi May 18 in a bid to recapture it from jihadists who dealt the Iraqi government a stinging blow by overrunning the city in a deadly three-day blitz.

A spokesman for the governor of Iraq's Anbar province said May 17 that about 500 people - both civilians and Iraqi soldiers - are estimated to have been killed over the past few days as the city of Ramadi fell to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).