Samarra

Iraq's counter-terrorism forces backed by army troops and U.S.-led coalition air strikes advanced towards the western town of Hit on March 31, in an attempt to dislodge the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants, the military said.

Backed by paramilitary forces and aerial support, Iraqi troops launched a new push on March 1 to retake a key area north of the capital, Baghdad, and dislodge Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants from the area, officials said.

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed the killing of a senior Iranian officer advising Iraqi forces in their fight against the jihadists, according to images posted on jihadist forums Dec. 29.

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants have captured two northern Iraqi towns and an oil field in their first major victory over Kurdish fighters, witnesses said on Aug. 3.
 

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants have captured the northern Iraqi town of Zumar and a nearby oil field after a battle with Kurdish forces who had control of the area, witnesses said on Aug. 3.

Shiite Iran offered Saturday to consider working with longtime foe the United States if it takes the lead in helping push back Sunni Arab militants who have seized a swathe of northern Iraq, as al-Maliki gov't readies offensive.