Militants set to march on Baghdad

Militants in Iraq have taken control of the cities of Tikrit and Mosul. Witnesses in those cities say military forces there, charged with defending the cities, laid down their arms and surrendered without a fight.

Tikrit has a population of around 100,000 people, but Mosul is the bigger win. More than 660,000 people make their homes there, making it the country’s second-largest city. Both of these cities fell under control of insurgents in less than 48 hours.

Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, a spokesman for the Islamic State of Iraq, said, “We have scores to settle. Do not give an inch of liberated land back — and continue your march. The battle is not yet raging but it will in Baghdad.”

The militant group currently controls a majority of the Anbar Province, Fallujah and areas of Ramadi. Leadership of the Sunni group also stated they would soon control the cities of Najaf and Karbala. Both of these areas are sacred to Shiite Muslims.

Government officials in Baghdad are calling on residents in militant-controlled areas to take up arms, and fight occupying forces. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has asked the Iraqi Parliment to extend emergency powers to him, including authority to declare a curfew.

In the address, Adani called the Prime Minister a liar, asking “What have you done to your people? What do you know about policy, leadership, and military command?”

He also referred to Maliki as “an underwear salesman.”

An anonymous source in the Pentagon said the military is considering air strikes against militants, supporting the government in Baghdad. Jen Psaki of the U.S. State Department told reporters Washington will likely provide assistance to the government of Iraq. There have been reports that American weapons provided to groups in Egypt and Libya have fallen into the hands of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

More than a half million people are fleeing the cities, with no sign the exodus is slowing.