is banking on iraq's military to hold its own and keep iraq from imploding. the security vacuum left in iraq since they left in 2011, since the u.s. troops invaded in 2003, make that a pipe dream. al jazeera america national security course dents jamie mcintyre joins me from the pentagon. ash carter said over the weekend that iraqi fighters have lost their will to fight. >> ali, to say that the u.s. is disappointed in the performance of those iraqi fighters in ramadi would be to risk serious understatement. the iraqi forces have a lot of things they blame for the loss of ramadi including ineffective u.s. air strikes and lack of support from the shia government in baghdad. slightly different story. sources tell me, by the way, that the iraqi forces in ramadi had a 10-1 numerical advantage over the advancing isil fighters. there were about 10,000 iraqi forces including 7,000 iraqi security forces and then another 3,000 federal police and special operations. the pentagon believes they should have nefr been overrun by this much smaller force of 1,000 isil fighter

we are not doing it in iraq. what i saw on the ground is american advisors out with the troops tent to make it better. >> the obama announced they'd send advisors to iraq. they are on root. u.s. boots on the ground is not the answer to the problem, and hasn't been an announcement for the last six years. special operations command is working to involve qatari's, emrarties actors in providing their people and local people themselves. >> they would disagree. i would put boots on the ground. >> you heard a former u.s. ambassador to iraq suggesting that the united states may be needed to get involved in order to address the threat. what do you think. we agree that the united states has expertise, which is why the obama administration sent advisors, we've been involved since the larger troop drawdown in advising the capacity and support for the local troops. the united states population have vehemently supported a president in the last two elections, and his commitment to drawing out of two wars, long wars, that were p

it's just the death of another person here in iraq. and 1500 died last month. >> in that sense it's symbolic that everybody faces these dangers in iraq, not just the journalists >>> according to the committee to protect journalists, 15 have been killed in iraq, 2013. most were targeted. ned parker of reuters said he did not want to be number 16. on april 3rd, parker filed is sorry from tikrit, on government-backed force, recapturing the city. iraqis that took issue with his support went on facebook threatening his life. and on an iraqi tv channel, it led parker to conclude that he was no longer safe. after a decade of covering iraq, he left the country. >> here was the liberation of tikrit, a major city, the most significant victory that the iraqi forces have achieved against i.s.i.s., and the reporting that came about it was focussing on the transgressions and happened on the battlefield. but by and large i think that reporting itself did not focus on any positive events that happened with the liberation of the city, and rather focuss

it blurred the borders between iraq and syria. it controls large territories on the border and off the border between iraq and syria. what we're having now is not just a classics of a war meaning something happening within two communities. what is happening, they are both in iraq and syria is a lot of it is by proxy. we're seeing regional and international powers coming in, financing, supporting, arming those kind of groups, so we have the complexity of the situation within, we have a sectarian conflict and a proxy. that complicates war. >> warring times. thank you. >> thank you. >> in yemen there's been more heavy fighting between houthi and pro government forces in taiz. a houthi leader was killed there and at least four civilians. ago the border with saudi arabia a saudi border guard has been killed and several others wounded in shelling by houthi rebels. >> east african leaders are urging burundi president to delay elections set for february that he didn't join the summit. those at the summit are call for an end to the violenc

.- the islamic state of iraq is claiming a major victory in iraq's largest province. it's taken full control of the city where iraqi forces have been filmed fleeing. it's the capital of iraq's largest province. its capture now means isil is closer to establishing supply lines from syria to iraq. it's just 110 kilometers west of iraq's capital baghdad. isil dominates large swaths of land in iraq and syria including mosul in northern iraq and this city in syria. crossing over to baghdad bringing in our reporter to bring you when we're hearing on the latest about what the iraqi government is going to do about this. >>reporter: well, it's under the control of isil. they launched a three will have day offensive -- three-day offensive first taking over the compound which houses government and police officers and then they moved on to take the last government stronghold the headquarters of the anbar commands center. there was a lot of fighting. we understand that up to 500 people were killed. security forces and civilians. some died in the fighting and others were executed.

so, it's a decision that will not help reconciliation in iraq. at the end of the day, there has been a long history of animosity between the shia led capitol and anbar. we have to remember that before isil's takeover of much of "the sun"ni hartland last june, the islamic state of iraq in the leaf ant was strong in anbar and there were proceedtestsvant was strong in anbar and there were protests. making demands for the government not to marginalize them. there was a lot of hatred and, at the end of the day, if these two sides do not reconcil, the decision to send in shia malitias will only exacerbate and inflame sectarian tensions. we have heard some warn that they will consider this an iranian occupation. it is a very delicate time in iraq, but isil making gains not noble ramadi but across the anbar province and the regular forces, iraqi armies just two weak and the government is refusing or is reluctant to provide weapons to sunni drives to wage this fight alone. now with the decision to send in shia malitias will inflame tensions in the country

is on the run in iraq. it doesn't seem like a group on the run. the metrics depending on the users, the bombings, offenses the way that i.s.i.s. moves. take a longer picture of this, a longer picture. a city can fall and things can come one way or the other. in the longer run the pentagon says they have done plenty to degrade the organization. it's a 30 year fight against organization. >>> kevin baron, editor of "defense one. that is our show for today. i'm ali velshi, thank you for joining us. >> "inside story" takes you beyond the headlines, beyond the quick cuts, beyond the sound bites. we're giving you a deeper dive into the stories that are making our world what it is. >> ray suarez hosts "inside story". only on al jazeera america. yemen's exiled president and his saudi allies are about to announce their next move in dealing with houthi rebels. ♪ >>> hello i am nick clark in doha also coming out program. after taking ramadi, isil sets its sights on capturing more it earth in anbar province, we'll have the latest live from baghdad. 11 afghan

that's what president bush tried to do in iraq. but as a simple military matter i think if the nation decided that isis had to go and we entered northern iraq and syria to tackle isis i think we'd do a good job. >> so they're unwilling to? >> we're not there. i mean so obviously we're unwilling to. >> but is a superpower -- can we just broaden what we're thinking when we ask about whether a nation is a superpower and do the degree that we're just asking about where we put our military or whether or not we can be this or that and that makes us a superpower we're in the wrong conversation and it leads us to the mess created in iraq in the first place. we have to be thinking about how we can make the world a better place in a nonmilitary way. >> but a strong military is certainly part of being a superpower but your economy has to be strong as well. so other things go into it. we look at something like the middle east right now, there are u.s. interests there and if we decide we're not going to play somebody else will step in and it ca

ramadi is 110 kilometers west of iraq's capital, baghdad. it's capture is the latest victory which continues to dominate large swathes of land. the group controls three major cities. mosul in the north of the country, raqqa and from washington here is kimberly halkett. >> still visible high above the ramadi skyline. down below gunfire wriningz out in the city streets. the city undertac from isil fighters using car bombs to reach the center of the city for government buildings where they are located. the battle with iraqi forces is intense. army and police units are seen in an apparent retreat as isil takes control. the fall of ramadi happening as the u.s.-led coalition intensefies airstrikes. 18 at six locations including ramadi in an attempt to disability it's ill's tactical units. >> we will see these kind of setbacks. some are somewhat serious setbacks. i think the long-term strategy of the united states which is the support the iraqis by with and through the iraqis, not for the iraqis but by with and for the iraqis will prove in the long

troops left iraq in 2011 came i.s.i.l. the fighters sweeping into northern and western iraq, controlling half of neighbouring syria. in 2011, president obama was forced to confront an arab spring movement. that was sweeping the middle east. four years later the region is in crisis and america's unclear. mike viqueira has the story >>> egypt 2011, president obama struggles to react, late to call for the ouster of hosni mubarak, and comparing the protesters to heroes of the american revolution. >> we cannot hesitate to stand on the side of those reaching for their rights. knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more stable, peaceful and just. >> four years later the region is less peaceful and less stable. >> in yemen, a rebel advance, a saudi-led air campaign to drive them back. the u.s. goes along, playing a supportive role behind the scenes. in syria, four years of civil war. more than 200,000 death, millions displace said. they want allies to go after bashar al-assad, but president obama will not >>>

is on the run in iraq. it doesn't seem like a group on the run. the metrics depending on the users, the bombings offenses the way that i.s.i.s. moves. take a longer picture of this, a longer picture. a city can fall and things can come one way or the other. in the longer run the pentagon says they have done plenty to degrade the organization. it's a 30 year fight against the organization. >>> kevin baron, editor of "defense one. that is our show for today. i'm ali velshi, thank you for joining us. >>> the fall of ramadi i.s.i.l. flags fly over another major iraqi city, why the u.s. says the setback will not change its strategy in the region >>> demilitarizing police. president obama pushes back against giving military weapons to u.s. law enforcement. >> texas on alert. nearly 200 bikers are under arrest after rival gangs shoot

a place in iraq's future. baghdad is afraid to do that. haider al-abadi wants to do it but lacks the shia militias or parties that are more beholden to iran than the iraqi sunni brothers. >> thank you very much. good to get your thoughts on that. michael pregent former u.s. intelligence officer and military advisor. >>> other developments in iraq - fighting is continuing in and around the baiji oil refinery the largest in iraq. 300km north of ramadi. this footage, posted by iraqi army personnel shows a suicide car bomb close to the post. the refinery was recaptured from i.s.i.l. in november but the iraqi army failed to secure it, with resources stretched by fighting elsewhere >>> over the border syrian troops are pushing i.s.i.s. back from a u.n.e.s.c.o. site. almost 300 have been killed since i.s.i.l. attacked the desert city. the attack has been foimed but i.s.i.l. forces are nearby -- foiled, but i.s.i.l. forces are nearby. elsewhere the government has been accused of dropping barrel bombs containing chlorine gas. two villages were targ

help iraq at the end of the day. what iraqis need are more weapons. i repeat myself. they don't need more weapons to get their house in order. what they really need is to make sure that their army can stand on its two feet. there are rumors that say that during the day the iraqi army serves whatever government in baghdad and that arms and at night provides the arms to the isis group and islamic state groups and others. we have a much bigger problem than whatever guns are thrown on baghdad will solve. at this point, al abadi could use normally russian help, but iranian help, arab help and western help to make sure everybody lowers the tensions in the region instead of adding fire to the fuel. >> all right thanks so much, joseph. >> ethiopians held to the polls sunday in parliamentary and region ales. the democratic front is widely expected to retain power. we explain why. >> apart from the occasional campaign truck with songs blaring, there is little to show this is an election week in ethiopia. weak opposition partie

the leader of al-qaeda and iraq and. there was a leader killed in 2006, and then in 2010, two leaders were killed in 2010. however, that group formed the origins of present day al-qaeda in iraq and syria. this is how they operate. so targeting a leader or targeting an influential member of the group will certainly not end their threat, barbara. >> omar live for us, thank you. >>> now turkey's military is insisting that it has shot down an syrian aircraft after it entered turkish air space. activists have sent al jazeera these photos showing the downed aircraft that crashed just inside syria. turkish military source said that a helicopter was shot down when it breached the country's air space twice on the western side of syria. but syrian tv is denying the reports saying that a surveillance drone was brought down instead. >> now let's go to egypt where a court has sentenced former president mohamed morsi to death along with members of the banned muslim brotherhood group. morsi was convicted of killing and kidnapping polic

this is a battle that is at the heart of iraq sectarian and political divide. al jazeera, baghdad. >> the taliban fighters in pakistan claimed they shot down a helicopter carrying foreign diplomats. ambassadors from nor wear and the philippines were among those killed in the crash which the pakistani government blamed on technical failure. a taliban video is said to show fighters firing a missile. >> police in macedonia are continuing to battle an armed group in a town in the north where ethnic albanians are the majority. the interior ministry said eight police officers and 14 fighters were killed on saturday. we have more. >> sporadic gunfire can still be heard on the streets. police say the main operation ended sunday night but some refuse to surrender. the fighting emptied the streets in the mainly albanian neighborhood. the police action began early on saturday morning in the city about 40 kilometers north of the capitol. it's an area that saw fighting during an ethnic albanian insurgency in 2001. >> we are sending a message to those who want to divide us.

completely, how damaging is that going to be for iraq's government? >> thank you very much and you know as we know i.s.i.l., they attack ramadi and in early april and they took men and neighborhoods near ramadi and but the downturn of ramadi, it was not occupied. yesterday they start a huge attack very aggressive attack and they took over this all ramadi center and the government compound, the police station, so i think if ramadi fall down this will be very dangerous to the iraqi government, that means they will have direct way from syrian border until the border of baghdad because they will -- now they are already in fallujah and they are already in fallujah also so they will have a direct way. >> why is it proving so difficult for the iraqi army to tackle i.s.i.l.? >> i think there is no serious -- no serious action from the iraqi government to i.s.i.l. in anbar and you know the solution is not only military solution. we need behind the military solution. we need political solution. with the local people with the sunni community. as you know when we

i spoke about the implications about the wars in yemen, syria and iraq. >> it's not just iraq and syria, and now it's bleeding into libya, but we have to remember that the returning of fighters is causing problems across europe as well. there has been events in paris, attacks in london and fighters are attracted to go and join the horrendous organization is a challenge to us all. it's not just the region but wider afield. one of the focus at the moment is yemen. how does it play into the growing i.s.i.l. threat? >> well it is confusing. we have people in the peninsula there, and the compounding problem of the houthis pushing south, pushing out president haider al-abadi. we are encouraging all parties to join in the geneva talks to get a resolution. what we are seeing is a vacuum created for terrorism to cultivate, but a huge humanitarian disaster so a ceasefire is welcome. we need long-term solutions in yemen, particularly, as i say, does it fit in with a growth of terrorism in the region which is already starting to spiral. >> pushing the oil price down didn't help. >> no it didn't. it

in iraq i.s.i.l. fighters launched a string of attacks. an army headquarters in fallujah was attacked and 13 soldiers killed by an i.s.i.l. rocket attack on an air base east of ramadi. the bodies of 17 people arrived at port augusta on the italian island of sicily. they were found during friday's operations saving more than 4,000 migrants crossing the mediterranean sea >>> the european union condemned a travel ban on 89 politicians as arbitrary and unjustified. moscow says it's in response to e.u. sanctions imposed on russia and similar travel bans. >>> the unagency dealing with hunger says 10 million are in need of assistance after four years of war. a lack of security funding and access means it's proving hard to help everyone. as caroline malone reports, a new scheme is under way to help people help themselves. >> this farmer is helping to provide food for hungry people in syria. it was set up in an opposition held part of aleppo eight months ago. 30 families get a regular supply of eggs. others have an option of buying into a cooperati

is on the run in iraq. it doesn't seem like a group on the run. the metrics depending on the users, the bombings, offenses the way that i.s.i.s. moves. take a longer picture of this, a longer picture. a city can fall and things can come one way or the other. in the longer run the pentagon says they have done plenty to degrade the organization. it's a 30 year fight against organization. >>> kevin baron, editor of "defense one. that is our show for today. i'm ali velshi, thank you for joining us. night. >>> when the great recession struck in 2007 and 2008, it had a devastating impact on the economy. millions of families are making less money now than there were then, and millions of others scraping by in permanently low-paying jobs. did too many jobs fail to pay a living wage. it's

-led coalition is hitting isil positions in ramadi and in iraq. the council, sunni, is allowing shia malitias to join the fight. it is in the northeast of iraq and the capitol of anbar province which has been mostly under isil control. it is 100 kilometers from baghdad. more now from the capitol. >> reporter: isil is one of step closer to taking the whole city of ramadi. they are besieging government forces inside the anbar command center headquarters. isil on the offensive, the government on the defensive. now, the anbar provincial council actsking shia led coalition to join the fight. this is not going to be welcome by many sunnis who it is allied to the government and the council is not representative of all sunni tribes in anbar. some of these tribes do cooperate with the government. many influential ones do not. it's a decision that will not help reconciliation in iraq. at the end the process. there was a lot of hatred and at the end of the day, if these two sides do not reconcile, the decision to send in shia malitias will exacerbate and inf

iraq government sent extra soldiers to the city of ramadi as they try to push out islamic state of iraq and levante and i.s.i.l. is in control of 90% of ramadi, the capitol of anbar pro inches and if the city falls it would give the group a stronghold just 100 kilometers from baghdad. on friday i.s.i.l. captured people and fighting on going and people are fleeing and more than 100,000 have left in the last month alone and deeper into anbar province i.s.i.l. has carried out three suicide attacks in eastern fallujah targeting a joint army and shia malitia base and 25 died when the group rigged the main gates of the post and i.s.i.l. controlled most of the province since last year. let's go live now to baghdad, al jazeera's zana is there, what is the latest you are hearing from ramadi? >> reporter: well like you mentioned, the iraqi military announced they are sending reenforcements to the city but on the ground and understand from sources there is no sign of a counter offensive to recapture territory in ramadi. we did hear from iraqi prime minister abd rabbuh mansur hadi actually acknowle

-led coalition have started their fight back against the islamic state of iraq in the levant in iraq. coalition airstrikes started areas near the proofvincial capitol capitol. iraqi troops and their shia militia allies are trying to take control of that town to link fallujua. zeina hodr reports. >> there has been military progress against the islamic state they have recaptured the town of hoseba. they have pushed isil out of the town. the iraqi forces were sent to the area to stop isil from advancing further. isil has managed to take towns and cities. excuse me. towns and villages since it captured ramadi on sunday. the capture of hosaba really the aim is to protect the habanea military base which was really under threat just earlier today. >> the base is the staging ground for the government's counteroffensive against isil in unbar province. in a show of support for the troops iraq's defense minister and unbar provincial officials discuss the military plans that are being put in place there but even before that military operation begins, the base is already under threat. >> we are no

americans want to go back to iraq? >> yes, i think americans watch... >> are americans crazy. >> they watch, read lerch... >> and get terrified. >>..learn, and get terrified. >> though they shouldn't be. >> i think they should be. >> they should be terrified of heart disease. >> they should be terrified of a few things. >> like diabetes. heart disease. >> i heard this argument. including the c.i.a. a book by a prominent c.i.a. . >> michael shoyyer. >> no larry johnson saying terrorism was overrated as a problem, until it wasn't. there was people like me saying pay attention to al qaeda. because they speak is different language and talk about taking over the united states, and you think it's crazy, pay attention. >> it's crazy to think i.s.i.s. or willem alberts - you are not -- al qaeda. you are not saying that they'd take over the united states. >> no they say repeatedly this they'd strike ut united states. osama bin laden's recent reference. he intends, he was encouraging followers to go out and strike america. >> ju

>> iraq will deploy shia hill militia to stop isil from ramadi . >> this is al jazeera live from london. also coming up gay couples flock to dublin to celebrate as ireland legalizes same-sex marriage. >>> guatemala's corruption scandal costs 30 kidney patients their lives. >>> and fans of the citroen celebrates its birthday. hello, iraqi forces and the u.s. coalition have begun their fight back against the advance of islamic state in iraq and the levant in anbar province. coalition airstrikes have targeted the pro the provincial town of ramadi. iraqi troops have also been deployed to just a few kilometers from ramadi. we have reports from baghdad. >> there has been military progress against the islamic state in iraq and the levant shia militiamen have pushed isil out of the town seven kilometers from ramadi, the provincial capital of anbar. the iraqi forces were sent to the area to stop isil from advancing furthers it would take towns and villages since it's capture on sunday. the aim is to protect the military base which was really under threat just earlier today. >> the base is the st

. >> khanki [han-kee] refugee camp northern iraq. a family is burying a young woman they say was killed while escaping the group calling itself the islamic state. her father told us what happened. >> they are part of the yazidi religion one of the groups targeted by the islamic state of iraq and the levant also known as isil. no one knows exactly how many yazidis were killed because isil-held territory is off limits to journalists and human rights workers. but tens of thousands had to flee their homes after isil fighters captured their towns and villages in june. isil now controls as much as one-third of iraq's territory, including the second-largest city mosul. though its power and influence expanded in syria, it's here where isil was born. during the nearly nine-year long u.s. occupation. fault lines travelled 600 miles across iraq to look at the consequences of the fight against isil -- and how u.s. allies are also helping to divide iraq more than ever. >> when isil advanced this summer people across the country's northern provinc

and iraq the u.s. defense secretary accusing the iraqi army of not having the stomach for this fight. how much is this damaging the relationship between the two? and how is impacting things on the ground? >> when that kind of bickering starts you know things aren't going very well hazem. the blame game are a sign that things are not going well. it's good to remind our viewers around the world, that the prime minister and the president met in washington only several weeks ago, back in april, and they agreed that reconciliation between shia and sunnis is a priority and going after isil is the big thing for -- this is the main task. clearly the prime minister has failed on both fronts just as the united states has failed on both fronts. the bombardment is not working the iraqi military is not gaining grounds, because you remember the big thing was we're not going to defeat them now, but at least we'll contain them. they are not containing them. they just occupied the capitol of anbar. and that is an embar

we need, we need a real planning for what's happening in iraq. because at the end there will be also not the i.s.i.s. infiltration but also there will be outside agenda that will be implanted inside iraq. >> house of iraqi expertise foundation thank you very much. >>> egypt's army says it has killed 29 fighters in 11 days of raid in northern sinai. 133 suspects have also been arrested, in a year long crack down. groups based in sinai have been attacking egyptian security forces since president mohamed morsi was overthrown in 2013. gaining ground inglens against houthi rebels. after fierce battles. the region has been under rebel controls since march. yemenis can now be granted vee isvisasto work legally. mohamed val has the story. >> wanted by immigration police but the status of these estimated half omillion illegal immigrants from yemen is about to change. the background, caused by the war in yemen. in march a saudi led coalition launched a air strikes against yemen hundreds of civilians have died and thousands have lost their livelihoods and h

, iraq's capital. >> iraq's senior cleric called for the military leaders to stand down. they accuse them of standing down and accuse them of being unable to deal with the threat and urge the army to take a more offensive strategy. >> translation: we press reason the replacement of those not loyal, capable and courageous. innocent blood spilled should make us stronger. rumours are a lethal weapon perhaps a reason to believe the ruins is the absence of military leaders. >>> an iranianship loaded with supplies docked in djibouti bound for yemen. u.n.'s inspectors will check the vessel. fierce fighting conditions. in the port city of aden supporters are battling houthi militias in several parts of the city. a suicide bomb attack has wounded 13 people. the tart was a shia mosque a group linked to i.s.i.l. claimed responsibility for the attack. let's go to jamal, joining us from djibouti. we can see behind you, the age ship from iran has docked in djibouti. how much will this aid help to alleviate the problems faced by the refugees there. >> well there's around 200 tonnes wort

-led coalition have started their fight back against the advance of the islamic state in iraq and the levant in anbar province. coalition airstrikes have targeted armor vehicled and isil positions near the provincial capital of ramadi, which the group captured last week in an embarrassing set back for the government. taking control of that town would allow isil to link ramadi and fallujah and put it within striking distance of iraq's capital. we have reports now from baghdad. >> there has been military progress against islamic state in iraq and the levant. shia militiamen realize iraqi government soldiers have recaptured the town. they pushed isil out that have town, which is seven kilometers from ramadi, the provincial capital of anbar. the iraqi forces were sent to the area to stop isil from advancing further. isil has managed to take towns and cities and--excuse me--towns and villages since it captured ramadi on sunday. the aim is to protect the military base, which was really under threat just earlier today. >> in a show of support for the troops iraq's defense minister and anbar

the government has tried hard to portray the war as iraq's war against i.s.i.l. the u.s. has stressed that sunnis are involved in the fight. >> they have said that the shia paramilitary forces will operate under the iraqi government's command, but need to convince the sunnis in anbar that the deployment of shia militias will not extend the influence. the support may be the only way to win the battle against i.s.i.l. and bringing iraq back together >>> iran says it's agreed to allow what it calls managed access to its military sites. the agreement is part of a deal made over its disputed nuclear programme. the announcement was made after a closed session of parliament involving the foreign minister mohamed. the supreme leader previously rejected such inspections >>> yooethians have been voting in the first general elections since the death of the prime minister in 2012. his successor is expected to stay in power. more than 38 million people are eligible to take the ballots in the regional and parliamentary poll. it's in power for almost 25 years of silencing them. short an

as mike viqueira mentioned it's about control of iraq. more from zeina khodr. >> reporter: the iraqi military says it's fighting back in ramadi, and released a video of aerial attacks on islamic state of iraq and levant positions. the government promised a tough response and promised to recapture lost territory in the provincial capital. on the ground there is not much evidence that security forces are on the offensive. many say it will not be a clear fight unless there is strategy. >> they have to be serious to do what they have to do for long time. we know everyone, that since one month i.s.i.l. attack every day. the reaction of the government was very weak >>> on friday i.s.i.l.'s message was one of defiance. fighters used weapons and car bombers in a complex attack to penetrate a compound in ramadi. the u.s. which leads the coalition against i.s.i.l. plays down the significance against i.s.i.l.'s gains. it says the armed group is inflating successes, saying the coalition strategy is working, but there are those that disagree. >> we ne

. >>> in iraq fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant launched a string of attacks. eight suicide car bombers attacked an army headquarters killing 20 soldiers. the attacks happened in the village east of fallujah. we'll go to the iraqi capital of baghdad. i.s.i.l. fighting to expand their territory? >> that is right. what they are doing is mounding more car bomb attacks. they have used them to devastating affects. it's a classic tactic that i.s.i.l. used. what is happening in this attack is a first waive of suicide bombers that hit missile batteries that are a key defense system. they used a second wave to get close to a military base it's where the 20 soldiers died. i spoke to military experts and asked a simple question. why can't you defend against a car bomb of this nature. the answer that comes back is the iraqis don't have the intelligence and recognisance needed to avoid the bombings and the weaponry is infective. what i.s.i.l. did is reinforced car bombs. . a lot of weapons are uneffective. i.s.i.l. is learning the weakness and and exploits them >>> the unit

they make major gains in iraq and syria. malaysia's prime minister orders his navy to search for desperate migrants. an estimated 4,000 are still adrift at sea. preventing protests police backing president clamp down on demonstrators on the streets of the capitol. and a state of emergency in california as almost half a litters of oil spill from a ruptured pipeline. >> and in sport, if i facebook page president now has just one person aiming to take his job. he will be his sole rival at next week's elects, as two others quit the race. hello, fighters from the zimbabwe state appears to have accelerated. this is in stark contrast to predictions that the group was in retreat isil fighters have entered a world heritage site in syria the ruins of the ancient city are one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. it sits by the town, it is significant because it is on the cross roads between the capitol, and the contested town. in recent weeks isil has been expanding it's territory these areas in red are now contro

members are combat members of the wars in iraq and afghanistan. some gangs allegedly recruit members to get combat expertise and training. >>> there's more on our website, aljazeera.com. ♪ >>> reinforce the role into ramadi, and iraq fights to take back control from isil. the u.s. says it will support the army and shia militias at least for now. >>> authorities in texas are on high alert after a deadly biker drawl. >>> and texas has stepped in to let the gas flow again. ♪ >>> this is al jazeera america. good morning, live from new york city. i'm randall pinkston. reports from iraq that isil fighters are going door-to-door looking for police officers and pro-government fighters to kill. the gov nour calls it a scene of car naj. anbar's capitol fell into isil hands this weekend despite a series of u.s. air strikes there. the pentagon says it is backing some 3,000 shia militia fighters who are preparing to take back the see. the takeover means isil is inches closer to baghdad. the city is significant for many american families. one in three u.s.

why do you think there is such an escalation of brutality in iraq? >> this is the nature of civil war. in fact, if we look at the study of civil wars, the two or three must not civil wars since second world war, we will see that either they end rather quickly or they escalate in the most inhumane ways. basically the moral fabric of society breaks down. the various factions, or the fighting factions within the country turn against each other in a way where all means justify the ends. or all ends justify the means, i should say in a way that whether it is for ally or omar, sunniism or shiaism they give themselves the right. we see the kind of escalation that unfortunately is basically deepening the sectarian divide, deepening the violence, and going to basically an unknown territory for iraqi's. >> interesting that it is not just the fighters targeting each other. the special representative on sexual violence in conflict told some of the refugee camp people managed to get out of syria and iraq and said isil are institution liesing sexual violence. the

it has sexually enslaved women in iraq, we are claiming that i.s.i.s. uses sexual violence again as a strategic tool. and basically in its own magazine it says we have the right and this is who we are. we will use sexual violence against our enemies in particular minorities. >> fall out in places like iraq how do you stop that sort of cycle of violence? on the one hand if you interhe beinterveneintervene, you say hold on, where do you stop and if you don't intervene you condone something that is absolutely horrendous. >> we are not talking about the humanitarian cost, you are talking about the number of casualties in syria and iraq almost 300,000. and the nomples of norms of the international system, deeply embedded in what we call decency, voils violate the very premise on which civil society depends. civilians are paying the highest price. in fact in syria and iraq we are witnessing the greatest humanitarian traj since world war ii. and this -- tragedy since world war two. lauren, what does the international community -- nothing. more condemnation but

al jazeera nigeria. >> some breaking news from iraq now. we're getting reports that isil fighters have taken over the provincial operations command center in rimadi, putting the fighters on the brink of capturing the city. these pictures have just come in to us. they are showing the activists who posted this video are saying iraqi forces and swat special forces fleeing their post in ramadi, heading to the air base west of baghdad. we are getting reports that isil have managed to take over the provincial operations command center, the last area which iraqi forces had any presence at and these pictures posted showing iraqi forces fleeing from this post towards the air base and apparently the men filming them are heard to say if you could hear the sound that the tanks are fleeing. we'll bring you more on that when we get it, of course. >> in peru, protests are spreading against a new copper mine. charmers say the project will poison their land and accuse the president of betraying them. we have more on the growing anger. >> the women of the va