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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Islamic State crisis: US sends Iraq missiles for Ramadi battle | Islamic State crisis: US sends Iraq missiles for Ramadi battle |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US military says it is sending 1,000 anti-tank missiles to the Iraqi government following the fall of Ramadi to Islamic State (IS) forces. | The US military says it is sending 1,000 anti-tank missiles to the Iraqi government following the fall of Ramadi to Islamic State (IS) forces. |
| A spokesman said the missiles would help counter the threat from large IS car bombs in the city, west of Baghdad. | A spokesman said the missiles would help counter the threat from large IS car bombs in the city, west of Baghdad. |
| Iraqi forces are regrouping and are expected to retake the city in the "near term", Col Pat Ryder said. | Iraqi forces are regrouping and are expected to retake the city in the "near term", Col Pat Ryder said. |
| More than 40,000 people have fled their homes since IS militants seized the Ramadi last Friday. | More than 40,000 people have fled their homes since IS militants seized the Ramadi last Friday. |
| On Wednesday, thousands displaced by the violence in the western province of Anbar were finally allowed to enter Baghdad. | On Wednesday, thousands displaced by the violence in the western province of Anbar were finally allowed to enter Baghdad. |
| Many had been stranded on open land for several days amid government fears that IS might have infiltrated them. | Many had been stranded on open land for several days amid government fears that IS might have infiltrated them. |
| Residents still left in Ramadi told the Associated Press news agency that IS fighters were urging them over loudspeakers not to be afraid and to stay in the city. | Residents still left in Ramadi told the Associated Press news agency that IS fighters were urging them over loudspeakers not to be afraid and to stay in the city. |
| According to Anbar provincial officials, at least 500 people were killed in three days of fighting in Ramadi last week. | According to Anbar provincial officials, at least 500 people were killed in three days of fighting in Ramadi last week. |
| 'Devastating car bombs' | 'Devastating car bombs' |
| Col Ryder described the waves of "vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices" (VBIEDs) used by IS in their offensive as "devastating". | |
| "These enormous suicide VBIEDs is something that we have to help the Iraqis, and our partners in Syria, defeat," he said. | "These enormous suicide VBIEDs is something that we have to help the Iraqis, and our partners in Syria, defeat," he said. |
| Iraqi troops in the area are expected to launch an attack on IS soon and they could be joined by about 3,000 Shia militia fighters. | Iraqi troops in the area are expected to launch an attack on IS soon and they could be joined by about 3,000 Shia militia fighters. |
| But the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue in Washington says the US insists it will only provide air cover to fighters under the control of the Iraqi government - reflecting concerns that some of the groups are controlled by Iran. | But the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue in Washington says the US insists it will only provide air cover to fighters under the control of the Iraqi government - reflecting concerns that some of the groups are controlled by Iran. |
| Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi flew to Russia on Wednesday, seeking closer military co-operation. | Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi flew to Russia on Wednesday, seeking closer military co-operation. |
| Mr Abadi, who is travelling with a large number of ministers and advisers, is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. | Mr Abadi, who is travelling with a large number of ministers and advisers, is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. |
| Changing fortunes in Iraq put Obama legacy at risk | Changing fortunes in Iraq put Obama legacy at risk |