This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27800319
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Iraq crisis: Militants attack Tikrit after taking Mosul | Iraq crisis: Militants attack Tikrit after taking Mosul |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Islamist insurgents have attacked the Iraqi city of Tikrit after the second city, Mosul, was earlier overrun. | |
| Officials say militants are now in control of some parts of Tikrit - Saddam Hussein's hometown which lies just 150km (95 miles) north of Baghdad. | |
| Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has vowed to fight back against the jihadists and punish those in the security forces who have deserted. | Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has vowed to fight back against the jihadists and punish those in the security forces who have deserted. |
| The insurgents who attacked Mosul are from the ISIS group. | |
| It is not confirmed who is attacking Tikrit. | |
| ISIS - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is also known as ISIL - is an offshoot of al-Qaeda. | |
| It controls considerable territory in eastern Syria and western and central Iraq, in a campaign to set up a militant enclave straddling the border. | |
| 'Do not give in' | |
| As many as 500,000 people fled Mosul after the militants attacked the city. The head of the Turkish mission in Mosul and 48 officials are among many people being held by the militants, Turkish officials say. | |
| The insurgents moved quickly south, entering the town of Baiji late on Tuesday. | |
| Heavy clashes are now reported in Tikrit, with dozens of insurgents said to be fighting security forces near the headquarters of the Salaheddin provincial government in the city centre. | |
| One eyewitness told the BBC that gunmen had entered the city from four different directions and a police station had been set on fire. | |
| ISIS in Iraq | |
| Critical test ahead for Iraq | |
| How did Iraqi militants take over Mosul? | |
| Middle East press alarmed by fall of Mosul | |
| One police colonel told Agence France-Presse that Tikrit had fallen, but this has not been officially confirmed. | |
| Earlier Mr Maliki vowed to fight back against the militants. He has asked parliament to declare a state of emergency. | |
| In a live TV address, he said a "conspiracy" had taken place in Mosul and surrounding Ninevah province. | |
| Mr Maliki said he did not want to apportion blame for who had ordered the security personnel "to retreat and cause chaos". | |
| He added: "Those who deserted and did not carry out their jobs properly should be punished but we will honour those who are resisting." | |
| Mr Maliki urged units still fighting to carry on and told the people of Ninevah: "Do not give in. We are with you, the state is with you, the army is with you. Even if the battle is a long one, we will not let you down." | |
| Mr Maliki said "terrorists" had "come to Iraq to implement what they have been doing in Syria". | |
| He pledged to "reorganise the armed forces to cleanse Ninevah of the terrorists and those who helped them". | |
| Are you in the area? Are you from Mosul? Have you been affected by the situation? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Mosul' in the subject. | Are you in the area? Are you from Mosul? Have you been affected by the situation? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Mosul' in the subject. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |