The Iraqi Government Seems Helpless to Stop ISIS’s New Caliphate -- Time
The Sunni militant group says it has created its own Islamic empire. Their hold is less than secure, but Iraq's government seems helpless
With the upload of an audio recording, radical Sunni militants on June 29 declared a new Islamic caliphate, a religious superstate, stretching from eastern Iraq to the Syrian city of Aleppo. The group formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is now simply the Islamic State, dropping the names of the two countries whose sovereignty it doesn’t recognize.
After weeks of laying claim to Iraqi territory the group’s spokesman Abu Muhammad Al-Adnani said on Sunday that they have everything necessary to proclaim their state. The caliph—or leader——is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Iraqi-born ISIS leader who appears to be giving Al-Qaeda chief, Ayman al-Zawahiri, a run for his money. “Listen to your leader and obey him,” said al-Adnani in the online statement. “Support your state, which grows continuously.”
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More News On Iraq's Civil War And The Establishment Of The "Islamic State"
Iraq crisis: Fighting in Tikrit after 'caliphate' declared -- BBC
As caliphate declared, Iraqi troops battle for Tikrit -- Reuters
Fighting continues in Tikrit after Isis declare ‘Caliphate’ -- Irish Times
ISIL Declares Islamic State in Iraq, Syria -- VOA
Al-Qaida splinter declares new Islamic caliphate -- AP
Iraq crisis: Isis declares its territories a new Islamic state with 'restoration of caliphate' in Middle East -- The Independent
Iraq militants announce new Islamic state -- Washington post
ISIL's declaration of Islamic state condemned -- USA Today
Iraqi MPs under pressure to nominate speaker -- The Guardian
Russian Jets and Experts Sent to Iraq to Aid Army -- NYT
Turkey Does Not Want 'Tattered and Divided' Iraq -- AP
Khamenei: Iraq War a Showdown Between Humanity and Barbarity -- Newsweek