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Iraq crisis: Barack Obama says US will not send in troops but is 'reviewing options' to help fight Isis Iraq crisis: Barack Obama says US will not send in troops but is 'reviewing options' to help fight Isis
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has said US troops will not be sent into Iraq again to combat Islamist militants overrunning parts of the country.President Barack Obama has said US troops will not be sent into Iraq again to combat Islamist militants overrunning parts of the country.
In a speech outside the White House on Friday afternoon, the US leader said his country would offer assistance to the Iraqi government in its struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) but that would not amount to military intervention.In a speech outside the White House on Friday afternoon, the US leader said his country would offer assistance to the Iraqi government in its struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) but that would not amount to military intervention.
Since the rebels swept down from the north, seizing control of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, among others, commentators in the US raised fears over the prospect of another Iraq invasion.Since the rebels swept down from the north, seizing control of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, among others, commentators in the US raised fears over the prospect of another Iraq invasion.
Calling Isis "terrorists", Mr Obama said the group's rise posed an international threat and the conflict could affect oil supplies but stressed that the responsibility lay with the Iraqi administration and regional neighbours to stop it.Calling Isis "terrorists", Mr Obama said the group's rise posed an international threat and the conflict could affect oil supplies but stressed that the responsibility lay with the Iraqi administration and regional neighbours to stop it.
"We will not be sending US troops back into combat," he said. "We are reviewing a range of other options.""We will not be sending US troops back into combat," he said. "We are reviewing a range of other options."
The President said that the crisis in Iraq was not a military challenge and said the Iraqi government needed a "political plan" to combat the sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia Muslims that is coming to boiling point. The President said that the crisis in Iraq was not a purely military challenge and the Iraqi government needed a "political plan" to combat the sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia Muslims that is coming to boiling point.
Isis fighters have been gaining numbers and support as a Sunni movement advocating Sharia law as an alternative to Iraq's Shia-led government. Isis - a Sunni fundamentalist movement advocating Sharia law - has been gaining fighters and public support as an alternative to Iraq's Shia-led government.
Vehicles belonging to Iraqi security forces burn following clashes in Mosul Mr Obama said Iraqi security forces had not been "willing to stand and fight" the rebels after reports that soldiers abandoned their posts with no resistance to Isis.Vehicles belonging to Iraqi security forces burn following clashes in Mosul Mr Obama said Iraqi security forces had not been "willing to stand and fight" the rebels after reports that soldiers abandoned their posts with no resistance to Isis.
He added: "We will do our part but understand, it's ultimately up to the Iraqis as a sovereign nation to solve their own problems."He added: "We will do our part but understand, it's ultimately up to the Iraqis as a sovereign nation to solve their own problems."
The President did not rule out drone strikes or elaborate on the options being considered but said they would be reviewed in the coming days.The President did not rule out drone strikes or elaborate on the options being considered but said they would be reviewed in the coming days.
Isis have vowed to take Baghdad and entered the nearby towns of Jalula and Sadiyah, just 60 miles away, on Thursday.Isis have vowed to take Baghdad and entered the nearby towns of Jalula and Sadiyah, just 60 miles away, on Thursday.
The fundamentalists vowed to capture Baghdad and Shia holy cities further south after overrunning Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, and driving the army out of northern provinces.
The UN said hundreds have been killed - with militants carrying out summary executions of civilians in Mosul, including 17 civilians in one street.The UN said hundreds have been killed - with militants carrying out summary executions of civilians in Mosul, including 17 civilians in one street.
Up to 30 civilians were also killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in Mosul on 6 and 8 of June by government forces.Up to 30 civilians were also killed in heavy shelling of residential areas in Mosul on 6 and 8 of June by government forces.
David Cameron and William Hague have stressed that the UK will not be sending in troops.David Cameron and William Hague have stressed that the UK will not be sending in troops.
A team from the Department for International Development has been flown to northern Iraq to see what humanitarian help the UK can give, Mr Hague said Britain is ready to advise the Baghdad administration.