At least 339 people were killed today and 91 more were wounded. This figure includes 200 militants that the Iraqi government says were killed in Anbar province. As in recent days, it is difficult to gauge which reports are complete exaggerations. Even removing the 200 killed in Anbar, well over a hundred people were killed in realistic attacks.
The United States is sending 275 U.S. troops to Iraq, with the permission of the Iraqi government. The U.S. has already sent about 100 servicemembers to help security at the embassy in Baghdad.
However, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is showing no signs of reconciliation with minority groups — which would gain him the full cooperation of the United States. Nor does it look likely that he will be replaced anytime soon.
U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay said that all evidence points to war crimes on the part of ISIS/DAASH militants. According to their sources, hundreds of non-combatants, including soldiers who had surrendered, have been killed in the last few days. The United Nations has moved 58 staff members out of Baghdad in case the fighting reaches there.
Many of the several thousand Christians remaining in Mosul have taken refuge elsewhere and are wondering if they can ever return home. Although some have said that the militants have shown no ill will towards the Christians, others reports that all churches have been ordered destroyed. At least 13 imams have been killed in the past week, for refusing to pledge allegiance to the militant group.
Kurdish taxi drivers, traveling between Kurdistan and Baghdad, are reporting abuse at checkpoints from Iraqi troops and Iranian militiamen. They also say they have had no problems at militant checkpoints. Perhaps, it is because ISIS/DAASH has apparently offered a truce to the Peshmerga.
In Baghdad, authorities said 56 militants were killed and 21 were wounded during operations near the city, along the border with Anbar province and in Latifiya.
Air strikes left 13 dead and 10 wounded in Falluja. Two soldiers were killed when their helicopter was shot down.
Six off-duty soldiers were killed and four were wounded, when gunmen ambushed them on their way to Samarra.
A roadside bomb in Kirkuk killed two Peshmerga troops and wounded four more.
Two Peshmerga fighters were killed by gunshots in Rabeaa. Yesterday, a bomb killed one Peshmerga and wounded two more.
Clashes in Diyala province left two Peshmerga troops dead and 23 more wounded.
Tal Afar was captured just before dawn after Iraqi troops ran out of ammunition and had to leave. However, air forces may have later routed the militants. Dozens of militants may also have been killed by ground reinforcements.
Battles are taking place in Romanah.
Qaim was retaken by Iraqi troops.
Several militants were killed when they tried to storm the Baiji oil refinery.
Security forces and tribesmen from Anbar province killed over 200 militants. It is unclear if this includes the 200 dead just in Saqlawiya.
Apparently, the residents of Duluiya forced militants out of their town and then handed it over to police.
Nine militants were killed and 21 were wounded in Ishaqi.
Ten militants were killed in northern Babel province thanks to volunteer forces.
In Jalawla, 23 militants were killed.
