the defensive to take beiji has lasted two weeks so far. this is what the iraqi army has gained. >> as we have advanced, after the security, we'll move to the nearby town, and the goal is to reach the city of beiji. now we're in sweep mode for the areas, and so far, we have gained control of these territories, and expelled isil fighters. >> though the fighting looks chaotic, there's a plan here. they're taking the road and pushing the isil fighters slowly out of the town. this is a pattern we see quite often here in iraq. first, the special forces going along the road and they fan out and take the villages and the towns around the main road. and then we see the iraqi army come in and consolidate the positions and plan for the offensive. this was shot on wednesday. the government said that the town is firmly in the army's control. but beiji and the city and the oil refinery the next prize. the hope is to take them from isil and with the help of coalition airstrikes, that prize may be in sight. aljazeera, baghdad. >> a human rights group said

and then the goal is to reach the city of beiji.are in sweep mode and holding the ground in these areas. so far we have gained control over these territories and expelled isil fighters. >> reporter: although the fighting looks chaotic. there is a plan here. rapid deployment unit is taking the road and pushing isil fighters slowly out of the town. this is a pattern we see quite a lot here in iraq, first the special forces go in along the main road and then they fan out and take the villages and town that his surround that main road. then we see the iraqi army coming in, consolidating the positions and plan for the next offensive. this footage was shot on wednesday and the government says the town is now fairlily under army control. but beiji the city and the oil refinery are the next prize. the hope is to take them from isil and weaken the group and with the help of coalition air strikes that prize may well be in sight. imran kahn, al jazerra, baghdad. >>> he has been in power for the past 27 years, now the president of the state in

beiji, the city and the oil refinery are the next prize. the hope is to take those from isil and weaken the group and with the help of coalition airstrikes, that prize may well be in sight. imran khan, august, baghdad. aljazeera, baghdad. >> a holy site reopened today, israel only letting men over 50 pray at the mosque. the mosque and temple mount were closed after a far right abbuy was shot in east jerusalem. that closure sparked international outrage. israel closed down the old city due to security concerns. what is the security force like right now? >> good morning, stephanie. just a few hours ago, this entire area where i'm standing, right in front of the old city, that's the damascus gate behind me, all the roads leading into this area, normally bustling, full of people were completely blocked off and there was a huge israeli security presence, not only police officers, but riot squads, as well. that security presence numbered in the thousands. as you can see, things are relatively calm here. not a lot of people still. most of those se

. >> reporter: standing firm, he went on to say the next move is with the government here and in beijieijing. but the big question is what move will they make? >>> so what options does the beijing government have to diffuse the situation? >> reporter: the beijing government and the president really find themselves in a very difficult situation. if the president does give in to the protesters here, then he will be seen as a weak leader. he may also open up the chance for other provinces like tibet to start to make similar demands that hong kong has. on the other hand if he comes in with a hard hand, with the people's liberation army, and cracks down very violently against these protesters, then he runs the risk of international condemnation. one analyst told me a possible way out is to make the chief executive a scapegoat. he might actually sack him, saying he did not do a good job as chief executive. that remains to be seen. but the president might not want to do that as well, after all, he is seen as probeijing, but removing him may ease the tension here on the streets of hong kong. >

live to hong kong, protesters are spending china's national holiday speaking out against beiji beijinge scene. also ahead -- >> i wish to god you protected the white house like you're protecting your reputation here today. >> tough words for the head of the u.s. secret service about how a fence jumper at the white house was able to get all the way inside. but first -- >> the federal centers for

live to hong kong, protesters are spending china's national holiday speaking out against beiji beijing. we will take you to the scene. also ahead -- >> i wish to god you protected the white house like you're protecting your reputation here today. >> tough words for the head of the u.s. secret service about how a fence jumper at the white house was able to get all the way inside. but first -- >> the federal centers for disease control has confirmed that a patient admitted to this hospital has tested positive for ebola virus. >> doctors have diagnosed the first case of ebola inside the united states. should americans be concerned? >> yeah, and we will answer that for you. a man in texas has become the first person diagnosed with ebola inside the united states. the patient did not show any signs of the disease when he arrived from liberia almost two weeks ago now. he is now in isolation at a dallas hospital. >> a city official says this ambulance stayed in service for two days after transporting the patient, but the official says it was thoroughly disinfected. meantime, hospital officials

the troops, aided by coalition air strikes, aim to re-take areas around tikrit and beiji, home to thentry's largest oil refinery. and shiite prime minister haider al-abadi met today with sunni tribal leaders urging them to defend ramadi, in the west. in washington, the head of u.s. central command, general lloyd austin, said the meeting is an encouraging sign. >> i'm hopeful that they'll continue to establish some confidence and build upon that going forward. this is what has to happen and i think the leaders understand that. >> woodruff: later, a string of car bombs in baghdad killed at least two dozen people. more than 170 have died in attacks since last weekend. >> woodruff: in hong kong, new clashes flared in the standoff between authorities and protesters demanding elections free of beijing's control. it started early today when police raided and cleared one of the protest sites. hours later, a large crowd tried to return, and police used pepper spray and batons to beat back protesters and make arrests. the prime minister of nepal pledged today to set up an early warning system,