Iraqi official says Islamic State group recruiters have visited schools to pick children for military training, as Iraqi government forces prepare to retake city.
Iraqi Kurd leader Masoud Barzani regards his meeting with Obama 'successful' as Iraqi Shia politicians fear of a deal between the two regarding the future of the Kurdistan Region.
Muqtada al-Sadr says US congress bill to directly channel funding to various sects in Iraq would be a major disaster for Iraq and lead to its division.
As the Kurdish Peshmerga enter territory captured from the Islamic State group, the Iraqi government is looking to wrest control of areas it fears will be annexed to the autonomous northern region.
One of Iran's top presidential advisers has made inflammatory remarks about his country's power in the region, which appear to fit with suspicions of an expansionist project in Tehran.
Residents are fleeing Saddam's hometown, escaping both the harsh laws imposed by the IS group and the attacks by pro-government forces trying to retake the city.