Jay Carney

Iraqi forces struggle to fightback as political deadlock continues

Iraqi forces have regrouped after the debacle that saw some soldiers abandon their positions, weapons and uniforms as militants conquered Iraq's second city of Mosul and advanced to within about 80 kilometres (50 miles) of the capital Baghdad.

Iraq live: Nurses probably being taken to Mosul, says sources

We are tracking live the latest developments of the ongoing Iraq insurgency.

Iraq: Newly-elected parliament picks govt amid ISIL's caliphate declaration

World leaders and senior clerics have urged Iraq's fractious politicians to unite in the face of the militant onslaught.

Territory captured in Iraq, Syria is the new 'caliphate', declares ISIL

ISIL spokesman declared the group's chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as the leader of the new Islamic state and called on Muslims everywhere to swear loyalty to him.

Iraq crisis: ISIL declares captured regions as Islamic 'caliphate'

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has renamed itself "Islamic State" and declared its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghadi as "Caliph".

Sunni or Shi'ite: Four questions that determine life or death in Iraq

Amid the violence in Iraq that has led to death of thousands and displaced close to a million, four little questions have allowed militants to distinguish Shi'ites from Sunnis.

Iraq PM Maliki welcomes Syrian air raids on militants

Iraq's flagging security forces were swept aside by the initial jihadist push, but have since begun regrouping.

Iraq crisis: NGO says Syrian al-Qaeda has merged with ISIL

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the merger is significant because it opens the way for ISIL to take control of both sides of the border: from Iraq and Syria

Iraq: Militants seize oilfields, surround US air base near Baghdad

Baghdad is racing against time as the insurgents consolidate their grip on Sunni provinces in Iraq

Will avenge any US airstrikes in Iraq, warn ISIL supporters on Twitter

Washington has so far held off granting a request by Iraq PM Nouri al-Maliki's Shi'ite-led government for airstrikes.