shia militia groups are based east of ramadi, and they, the shia militia are getting ready to retake ramadi. the u.s. coalition stepped up air raids in the air and cities in the last three days. iran, which backs the shia militias says it's prepared to help the iraqi government to confront isil if asked to do so. well, isil fighters advancing east from ramadi towards the base where the shia militias are getting ready for battle. we have the latest from baghdad. >> the deployment of shia militias is a controversial decision. there are many who are warning that this could cause tensions, the possibility of clashes between the sunni tribes and the shia militias. at the end of the day what it means is that the government has to rely on this force because it's regular forces are too weak which only shows how the militias are stronger than this state in iraq. the sunni influential leaders are warning against this, and they're asking to be armed and they want to take this fight up by themselves. >> more than 8,000 people have been displaced, and the human suffering is only worsening in this

we have more details from baghdad. >> reporter: the deployment of shia militias is a controversial decision. a shia force entering the sunni heartland. there are many who are warning that this could cause tensions the possibility of clashes between the sunni tribes and the shia militias. at the end of the day, what it means is that the government has to rely on this force because its regular forces are too weak which shows how the militias are stronger than the states in iraq. sunni influential leaders are warnings against this and asking to be armed and they want to take this fight up by themselves. in the interim amid all this fighting, more than 8,000 people have been displaced and the human suffering is worsening in the country. they were caught in the crossfire, and now they have no place to go. according to the international organization for migration 8,000 people were forced to leave ramadi when fighters belonging to the islamic state of iraq and the levant advanced into their city. people who headed towards baghdad are questioned before being allowed to enter the capital. authoritie

he said that shia militias that had formerly fought u-s forces in iraq are taking advantage of u-s backing to target sunnis. namely asaib ahl al haq. >> the shiite militias that have been funded and trained by the iraqi security forces and now by the u.s. have committed gross violations. human rights watch has documented murders and crimes and torture committed by both the iraqi central government forces directly or by shiite militias affiliated with it. >> the refugees here say they are caught between multiple armed groups -- from isil to the shia militias, and they don't know if they will ever be able to go home. >> watch more "faultlines" on demand or visit aljazeera.com/faultlines. >> the peninsula, in arabic, is aljazeera. our logo represents courage. fiercely independent quality reporting. >> to take as much aid as possible... >> and standing up for the voiceless. when you see this symbol respected around the world it means you too can now count on all the things we stand for. aljazeera america. >> near the end of our trip to iraq we came across shia militia fighters from asaib ahl a

is advancing eased to the base where the shia militias are. zeina khodr has details. >> the deployment of the shi'a militias is controversial. a shia force entering the sunni heartland. many warn this could cause tensions the possibility of clashes. at the end of the day it means the government has to rely on the force, because regular forces are too weak. it only shows how militias are stronger than the state in iraq. sunni leaders are warning against this and are asking to be armed and want to take the fight up by themselves. in the interim, amidst the fighting more than 8,000 have been displaced, and the human suffering is worse in this country. >> they were caught in the crossfire and have no place to go. according to the international organization for migration 8,000 were forced to leave ramadi, when fighters from islamic state of iraq and levant advanced into their city. people headed to baghdad are questioned before being allowed to enter the capital. authorities want to make sure no fighters from i.s.i.l. make it into the city. >> trans

they are officially joining the fight against isil after criticism for deploying shia militias, the governmentying to recruit more sunni groups. they have long been suspicious of the shia-lead government. they say it was sunni fighting forces which won the battle seven years ago to get rid of al-qaeda in iraq a predecessor to isil. but after that victory, they say the government reneged on its promise to bring them into the national army and abandoned them. >> the current government is deliberately not helping the sunni community to retake their province. they are biased and deal in sectarian methods. the only solution is to arm the sunnis and ask for international help. there is no hope from this puppet government at all, and the battle for anbar won't be over any time soon. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: tribes are suspicious of shia militias because of anbar's politics. shia militias have been blamed for revenge attacks in sunni areas. if that happens in anbar, tribal leaders say they won't be able to stop their people from joining isil. shia militia leaders deny carrying out revenge attacks. >>>

shia militias deny revenge attacks.ver baghdad you will see posters like this promoting the iraqi army and the popular mobilization forces otherwise known as the shia militia. they are brought to you by the government. some say they are propaganda. the government says they are about information they are promoting the idea that the fight against silz a fight for all iraqis. but political parties linked to shia militias have put up their own posters, promoting sectarian language. it's this kind of imagery that has iraq's sunni population worried and angry. >>> hospitals in yemen are under increasing pressure as the humanitarian crisis escalates. forces loyal to yemen's president in exile they say are pushing houthi fighters back across several fronts. but losses are mounting on both sides as kim vinnell reports. >> reporter: blood stains the streets in what was a busy shopping district in ta'izz. yemen's warring sides blame each other for what happened here. civilians are among the wounded and the dead. amateur video from

. >>> the battle for ramadi iraq's government calls in shia militia to help it take back the city from i.s.i.l. >>> hello again, i'm felicity barr and this is al jazeera live from london. also coming up e.u. ministers approve a naval mission to target gangs smuggling migrants from libya. burundi's president sacks defense and foreign ministers as his soldiers reclaim the capital >>> at least 48 dead and more missing after a landslide in north-west columbia >>> plus, a rally in support of macedonia's prime minister after mass protests urging him to go. >>> hello, shia militias are assembling near the iraqi stay of ramadi. >>> iraqi's groups fled the city. hundreds were killed and 25,000 people have fled. zeina khodr has more from baghdad. >> reporter: they were caught in the crossfire and have no place to go. 8,000 were forced to leave ramadi when fighters belonging from islamic state of iraq and levant advanced into the city. people headed to baghdad are being questioned before enterle capital. the gas saying it wants to make sure no fighters could enter the city. >> reporter: why aren'

. >> well, in iraq thousands of shia militia in an effort to retake ramadi from isil. an adviser to iran's stream scream's leader. >> according to the international coordination for migration many were forced to leave ramadi. as islamic state in iraq and the levant advanced in to their city, but those who headed to baghdad are being questioned before allowed to enter the iraqi capital. they want to make sure that no fighters of isil make it into the city. why aren't we allowed in baghdad. we cannot cope. it's better to have a good life. >> there is a feeling among people that they have been betrayed. >> we spent two days on the road. we were humiliated at government check points along the way. government forces just retreated from ramadi. why did they do that? >> ramadi now belongs to isil, at least for now. in video was released by the radical group. the provincial capital of anbar seems to have been abandoned in a three-day offensive that pushed forces out. 500 security personnel were killed either in the fighting while others who work for the government were murdere

government troops are now reported to be closing in on ramadi with heaviest support from iranian-backed shia militias. >> a rack's army is backed by shia paramilitary forces to retake the heavily sunni and bar province despite fears of sunni-shiite tensions. fighting and airstrikes are now under way, spokesmen say. at 5:00 this morning, a convoy of heroes departed to announce the start of the operation through the barrels of their rifles. the spokesman says operation forces have moved in from the north to surround and isolate the i.s. members and ramadi. the city had resisted capture for months until last weekend. since then, the united nations estimates more than 80,000 led their homes -- fled more than 50,000 fled their homes. >> we don't know the destiny of our families. >> ramadi cost displaced could return home soon if tuesday's mission goes as planned. those heading the mission issued a confident assessment, saying their plan to rest back ramadi will not take long. >> lets get background on what's going on. an analyst who works for the jamestown foundation and is based in northern iraq joins us

definitely, between the tribes, and the shia militia. and secondly it's more weakening the central government. why? because it is not the army, who is getting in. >>> ramadi was isil's first major gain after a series of defeats, the united states which leads the coalition insists it is confident that ramadi will be recaptured. that may happen, but winning the political battle could be harder. there is little or no reckon southbound iation. >>> take a look at these pictures showing it is said, the center of ramadi, a day after isil took control and black flag, and, ramadi's grand mosque. pictures, right near and footage was released by the news agency, a activist group which is sympathetic to isil. >>> these pictures, show isil supporters celebrating in ramadi sharing flag waving, and members of the public, and it is said to have been filmed on sunday and that's what it is claimed to be but we can't say for sure. >>> let's go to manchester, the former adviser, to the iraqi government. good to have you with us, what do you think about the

in the zeina khodr report we just saw we heard a high-ranking shia militia official say shia officials are ready to liberate anbar. that is what the iraqi prime minister promised two months ago. now we see the capital of anbar going back to i.s.i.l. what should the strategy be in anbar itself. >> it brings up a key point. whether it's in the long-term interests of iraq to use shia militia, and those aligned with the government. in a sunni area of anbar. you introduce a level of sectarianism into the fight that is not helpful in either way, and it will be in my mind up to the shia militia, those that will be employed under the control of baghdad, to demonstrate that they could go into the area and not be seen as sectarian fighters. >> are they under iraqi control or operating under instructions from the iranian military to train them. >> it's the shia militia that the prime minister has control over, that the united states has supported being put into this fight. my personal view this is the wrong way to go. i believe that the prime minister is under such pressure to show progress that

backing up our troops and preparing for the fall of ramadi. >> reporter: these troops are primarily shia militiaeach militia have its own identify but fight under this iraqi banner. fortifying baghdad comes with unique challenges. this is the last safe to cross from anbar into baghdad with the operation now underway it's likely that we're see more scenes like this. fears of what comes next are common here. >> translator: as long as we sunnis are marginalized the fight will take a long time. there are sunni forces willing to fight and i would join that fight if the government accepts us. >> reporter: iraqi security forces have opened and closed this bridge at random, concerned that isil fighters will enter bagdad pretending to be displaced people. they have a huge challenge on their hands, but it's not just within anbar province it's also securing baghdad as well. many say if baghdad falls, isil have won, but there are other significant challenges that includes finding homes for these people who are fleeing the violence and making sure that they get back home eventually. >>> syria's air force has

the decision really to deploy shia militias is controversial in iraq. some people say that this decision should have not been taken, they should have armed sunni tribes, mobilize in flaming sectarian tensions. they weren't any match to isil. there are fears that deployment of shia militia the in the sunni heartland could cause the possibility of clashes between them and sunni tribes who do not support the government. >> the u.s. meanwhile has been saying that it is confident this isil takeover of ramadi cab reversed. given the conditions on the ground, is that realistic? >> at the end of the day, we have to remember when u.s. forces were in rack, the years of fighting, they were not able toto win the war militarily. they had to reach out to the local people and when they received support were able to make successes on the ground. this is going to be a very difficult fight. isil doesn't just control ramadi, it controls a vast amount of territory in anbar and are deeply entrenched. they do have local support. this will not be an easy fight. more important

the government shia militia men. we understand some 6,000 have been deployed in anbar, but the fight has not begun in ernst. >>> with i.s.i.l.'s gains on the ground, is - they are now pushed to rethink the overall strategy against i.s.i.l. >> well yes, this is what we are hearing from officials in iraq, particularly sunni politicians, they believe the strategy is not working, they do not agree with the statements made by the obama administration, that they are winning the fight and what i.s.i.l. - the territories that i.s.i.l. gaped in recent days what they did is take strategic territory. what can they do. this is the question. you talk to sunni politicians, and they say that the government is slow in promising to integrate sunnis into the security forces. the regular forces are weak. there has been months of training. they cannot wage a battle which is why the government bring in the militia men. when i.s.i.l. took the heart land a lot of sunni leaders went to the kurdish controlled north. what they were saying is

officials have also expressed caution over the introduction of shia militias in mainly sunni anbar province, even the name use ed by the militias for the upcoming battle for ramadi refers to a historical figure revered by shia islam. it's a name that could offense sunni tribes who might otherwise join the pro-government forces. >> we would urge all iraqis involved in the fight against ice toil avoid any action that would heighten sectarian tensions. >> reporter: meantime, human rights groups are worried about the people of ramadi. not everyone is going to be able to head to baghdad and relative safety. and there is concern too that shia militias are are said to have committed ahead bruising in other liberated areas of the country. >> we have zeina the love destruction of homes of other infrastructure in some cases mass displacement and an unwilling tons allow people to return looting, a lot of criminal behavior, a lot of aggressive behavior, some attacks against civilians and we have recorded a number of disappearances as well. >> reporter: the pentagon is sending 2,000 anti-tank missile to

they asked for help of shia militias. we understand that these militias different brigades are now gearing up for a counteroffensive against isil. this is a very controversial decision and many tribal leaders are warning against it saying it will backfire inflaming sectarian tensions and many will consider it an iranian occupation. many say they've been issues warnings and appealing for weapons. they were requesting weapons to take on the fight by themselves but the iraqi government has been reluctant to give them weapons because they don't trust them. we heard john kerry play down the significance of the ramadi gains saying he's confident iraq will recapture the territory. the biggest question is what will happen next. isil has been pushed out of other provinces but people have not returned and the shia-led militias have been accused of humn rights abuses. so this is a very delicate fight and there has to be political reconciliation and the government has to reach out to the people of anbar in order for this fight to wor

we've seen isil be pushed out of provinces by the shia-led militias, but people have not returned and shia-led militias have been by accused of human rights abuses. there has to be reconciliation, and the iraqi government has to reach out to the people of anbar in order for this to work. >> reporting from baghdad. secretary of state john kerry who just left south kia has been speaking about the fight against isil and the fall of ramadi keeping the local name of isil the secretary of state refers to the group as daesh. >> particularly in anbar where you don't yet have the presence of the iraqi security forces in the full numbers necessary to take the fight to daesh everywhere yet i underscore yet, there are targets of unite like ramadi and where elsewhere daesh highways the ability to inflict great damage. >> kerry met with south korean president and other leaders. of the country. they spoke about the swoon going glute never has the international community been as renighted as we are now that number one north korea needs to de-nuclearize. number two, not only have they not taken steps

of the iraqi army. >> reporter: the state department was asked about reports that in the past shia militiase commit ahead troughs at thises. the question is can that happen again? >> i am not sure what kind of guarantees you are asking for we have spoken to our view that militias should be under the command and control of iraqi security forces. >> reporter: there is a concern that this move will heighten sectarian tensions. >> we say that any time in public that we don't need the militia to his gets in anbar. and this will be a clear conflict between our tribes and their tribes and we told them many times that we have enough volunteers and they are waiting for that. that's why they are not very welcome. >> reporter: u.s. secretary of state john kerry admitted getting arms to the sunnis has been a problem. >> part of the challenge is also dealing with anbar and the tribe that his need more resources more training, more initial cover from another iraq security forces. and that will be i am sure the subject of much conversation over the course of the next few days. >> reporter: the u.s. says i

says it will support the army and shia militias at least for now. >>> authorities in texas are on highlert after a deadly biker drawl. >>> and texas has stepped in to let the gas flow again. ♪ >>> this is al jazeera america. good morning, live from new york city. i'm randall pinkston. reports from iraq that isil fighters are going door-to-door looking for police officers and pro-government fighters to kill. the gov nour calls it a scene of car naj. anbar's capitol fell into isil hands this weekend despite a series of u.s. air strikes there. the pentagon says it is backing some 3,000 shia militia fighters who are preparing to take back the see. the takeover means isil is inches closer to baghdad. the city is significant for many american families. one in three u.s. casualties occurred in anbar province during the second iraq war. today it is a ghost town abandoned by the iraqi army. they fought for just two days leaving behind american equipment. retaking ramadi will be difficult. >> reporter: they are preparing for a war that could deepen the divide in iraq. they plan to push deep into

many of these shia militia are, indeed, backed by iran.hey have iranian advisors with them there at the moment on the ground. and many believe that's where their orders are coming from. >> is there any doubt that isis is expanding and showing greater strength in iraq? >> well, i mean, there is a debate over whether or not this is a tactical victory or strategic victory. meaning, you know, some bigger program. at the moment it certainly looks like they are on the offensive. >> cam bell, thank you very much. and right now preparations to take back from isis a critical iraqi city of ramadi. so what must be done? general stanley mcchrystal, author of the new book team of teams new rules of engagement for a complex world and former commander armed forces in afghanistan joins us. good evening general, i have tell you reading your book it filled in so many holes in my understanding of the iraqi war. it was a great read. let me turn to the disturbing question. what must we do or what must iraq do now to win back ramadi? >> i think in the near term

the troops here and preparing for the fall of ramadi. >> reporter: the forces here are mainly shia militia. since the prime minister brought them under the command of the iraqi government they fly a new flag. each militia have their own identity but all fly under this banner. fortifying baghdad comes with unique challenges. this is the bridge, the last safe place to cross from anbar province into baghdad. with the operation underway, it's likely to see more scenes like this. >> translator: as long as we sunnis are marginalized, the fight will take a long time. there were sunni forces willing to fight, and i would join that fight if the government accepts us. >> reporter: iraqi security forces opened and closed this bridge at random concerned that isil fighters will enter baghdad disguised as displaced people, and that increases the tejs in the capital and elsewhere. there's no doubt iraq has a huge challenge on its hands in securing western anbar province and defeating isil. it's also secured baghdad as well. many say if baghdad falls isil will have won. there are significant challenges in

isil still on the defensive like you mentioned shia-led militias militias. thousands are at a nearby base which is just a near 10-kilometers from the town. preparations are under way they are gearing up for battle but the counter a offensive has not yet begun. we understand that the u.s. led coalition has stepped up air strikes in and armed romadi. we heard washington u.s. officials say yesterday, we have to remember the u.s. is leading the coalition against the fight against isil and they are confident that the iraqi forces will be able to recapture lost ground. and they are promising support. they are promising air coverage of the ground forces who are going to wage this battle. >> yeah, u.s. saying it's just a setback. but what about the overall strategy zeina? >> reporter: well, u.s. officials have long been concerns about the deployment of shia militias in any battle. and particularly in sunni heartland like anbar but we heard from u.s. officials yesterday really down playing this and saying that the shia militias are under the control of the iraqi gove

the portioned here are mainly shia militia. since they brought them under the command of the government they fly a new flag. each militia has it's own identity but all fight under this banner, including this group. fort fying baghdad comes with unique challenges. this is the bridge, the last safe place to cross from the pro vince into baghdad. it is likely to see more scenes like this as long as to fight we will take it. that will enter baghdad disguised as displaced people. in the capitol. >> life there to baghdad and al jazeera is there for us, do we have any updates on the operation so far the progress of it. >> what we are hearing from the security forces is they are pushing to try to take some of the roads which are key and anbar is very much a dessert province, so the roads only a few of them, you need to take control of hose and also pushing into the towns on the outskirts in places but they have already suffered losses in the last hour or so, we have heard there have been three car bombs killing at least 25, bringing the

there will be a clash definitely between the tribes and the shia militia. secondly it's more weakening the central government. why? because, it's not the army who is getting in. >> reporter: ramadi was isil's first major gain after a series of defeats in recent months. the united states that leads the coalition against isil insists it's cold frontnfident ramadi will be reka tured. that may happen but winning the political battle may be harder. in recaptured territories there's little and no recognition between the countries. >>> there's resumed fighting in bhrundi. they fired shots in the capital. it was days after a coup of the president failed. they're calling on the president to drop his plans to run for a third term. >> it's calm but sense in this part. there are a lot of soldiers on this particular street. there was a protest earlier, and things got nasty. shop owners closed their shops because there were a few skirmishes and a bit of violence. which is what one man said happened to the protesters that participated. >> they fired. they fired at people

shia militia are involved in the operation. by the large mostly sunni province in iraq's west isil took control of ramadi last week sending iraqi troops running. ramadi lies just 115 kilometers from the capitol of baghdad. our correspondent imran khan reports on the edge of anbar province. >>> iraqi security forces gather on the edge of ramadi preparing to retake the city which fell to rights from the islamic state of iraq and the levant more than a week ago. it's likely to be a long operation. is there are reports of isil fighters preparing to meet government security forces. they will lead the operation with backing from shia militia many of which are supported by iran and air strikes from a coalition of countries lead by the united states. the iraqi army is also gearing up for other operations. it is feared that isil fighters could push into baghdad. to prevent that happening, this man is securing the outskirts of the capitol. the town just under 30 kilometers from baghdad is being fortified. >> translator: we're fighting a

shia militia leaders deny carrying out revenge attacks.nment is keen to show the latest fight against isil isn't about sectarianism. all over baghdad you will see posters like this promoting the iraqi army and popular mobilization forces otherwise known as the shia militia. the government says they are about information. they are promoting the idea that the fight against isil is a fight for all iraqis. but just a few meters away political parties linked to shia militias have put up their own posters, highlighting the involvement of iran and promote sectarian language. it's this kind of imagery that has iraq's sunni population angry and worried. >>> the malaysian government thinks 139 victims of trafficking may be buried in makeshift graves on the thai border. government minister says the smugglers avoided police by operating in inaccessible areas. >> the indication we see that accessibility from thailand the water supply from the thailand boarder was 200 meters of water supply that goes into the camp. it seemed that militia is completely i

first off -- shia bract militia from iran close to the muddy. what are the chances they can retake the city with i.s. digging in? reporter: they are not in place until now. they are still marching towards ramadi. in the meantime, i.s. has gained more territory than before. of so the pace this morning, they were near falluja, and the suburb is i.s. now. it is them now. so they are still advancing. there is no end in sight. although the shia militias are set to be -- said to be well-trained and there are a lot of hopes that they will recapture ramadi. brian: it's important to note that this is a sunni country that the i.s. are advancing through. we have seen the i.s. struck close to the capital of baghdad before. it's only about 100 kilometers away from ramadi. is the threat to the capital greater this time around? reporter: no, it's not. it's not greater than it was last june. we have this terror militia now already one year, so last june they were even nearer to baghdad near abu ghraib, which is kilometers away. it's not bigger. at the threat is

shia militias involved in the operation, which some fear could raise tensions. is a large, mostly sunni province in iraq's west. isil took control of ramadi the province's capitol last week sending iraqi troops running. but ramadis lies just 150 kilometers from the capitol. >> reporter: security forces gather preparing to retake ramadi which tell to islamic state of iraq and the levant more than a week ago. it's likely to be a long operation. there are reports of isil fighters preparing to meet government security forces. they will lead the operation with backing from shia militia, many of which are supported by iran and air strikes from a coalition of countries lead by the united states. the iraqi army is also gearing up with other operations with isil in control of border crossings, it is feared that isil fighters could push into baghdad. to prevent that happening this man is securing the outskirts of the capitol. the down of duma is being fortified. >> translator: we're fighting a psychological war. isil have been effective media campaign against us. we have

launched an operation to drive the levant from anbar province the soldiers will be supported by shia militias who have played a key role. the militia leaders say they don't think the anbar offensive will take very long. however, their involvement is raising fears of tensions because most of the pop larry is sunni. an bar province takes up much of western iraq, sharing borders with jordan, and saudi arabia, and while the capitol fell just over a week ago. the city is only 150 teen kilometers away from the capitol baghdad. on the outskirts of the province. iraqi security forces gather preparing to retake the city which fell to fighters from the islamic state of the iraq more than a week ago p it is likely to be a long operation, there are reports of fighters preparing to meet the government forces. they will lead the operation with backing from shia militia, many of which are supported from iran, and air strikes led by the united states. the iraqi army is also gearing up for other operations with the full of ramadi and isil in control from syria into anbar it's feared isil fighters can push int

force was iranian backed shia militias.es they're mobilizing the shia militias and sunni tribal fighters that make of the popular mobilization units that will be involved in the fight. and iraqi officials continue to say that this is coming at the request of sunni officials in anbar province. they say that they want the help from these iranian backed shia militias. it is going to be very risky. not one organized fighting force. they do not come under one command per se. we have seen them in the past. being accused as some of the groups, i have to say, shia militias accused of carrying out crimes against sunni populations in areas that they quote, unquote, liberated. it is going to be risky. a test to see how this actually plays out. as you sd aid, very complicated and tough taking them into the sunni heartland. >> yes, of course, added to that. problems, criticisms, u.s. strategy here. that needing a rethink. but also, what does the fall of ramadi to isis tell us about apower of this militant group now even after nine month

however the most effective shia militia forces are part of the iranian military. defective. the bottom report to the commander of the kurdish force. they take reports to the commander of the kurdish force. it is not a shia problem, it is an iranian problem, they are no longer proxies, they are extensions of the iranian irregular military forces. those are the elements now leading the charge into ramadi which is unacceptable. they helped to get us off track by launching the attack on to grit cash -- which failed and we had to bail them out which was a turning point for us. it demonstrated the limitations of the a village the of those iranian controlled iraqi militias. we have undone that benefit we gained, but moved steps back. it is a fact -- if in fact these groups are successful in taking part of ramadi when troops that we backed failed, it will demonstrate the viability of these governments within iraq in a catastrophic way that will undermine almost any independence that they may have and be an extension of iranian military power. senator ernst: my time is way over. senat

we have seen isil pushed out by shia led militias, but people have not returned and shia militia's have been accused of human rights abuses. you captain win this militarily. there has to be political reconciliation and they have to reach out to the people of anbar for this fight to work. >> reporting from baghdad. >> secretary of state john kerry spokespoke about isil. the secretary of state reverse to the group as daish. >> particularly in anbar where you don't yet have the presence of iraqi security forces in the full numbers necessary to take the fight to daish everywhere yet, i underscore yet there are targets of opportunity like a rimadi or somewhere else where daish has the ability to inflict great damage. >> kerry was in south korea mostly to talk about security. >>. >> i think never has the international community been as united as we are now that number one, north korea death to denuclearize and have not taken steps to move in that direction but grown the threat of their program and have acted with a kind of reckless abandon. >> kerry said pyongyang has been repressing its citi

the operation backing from shia militia, many of which are supported by iran and airstrikes airstrikes. it's fear that isil fighters could push into baghdad. to prevent that happening this man is securing the outskirts of the capital. the area is being fortified. we're fighting psychological war. they have been accused of retreating. we're not. we're backing up our troops here and preparing for the fall of ramadi. >> the forces here are mainly shia militia. each militia has its own identity but all fights under this barn including this sunni fighter group with the operation under way it's likely we'll see more scenes like this. fear of what comes next are common here. there are sunni forces willing to fight. and we'll join that fight if the government will accept us. there is no doubt that iraq has a huge challenge on its hands and defeating isil it's not just anbar province. many people say that if baghdad falls then else will have won. but there are other significant challenges. that includes finding homes for these people who are fleeing thify lens and making sure that they get back

sunni fighters take an oath at the air base. >> after the criticism of deploying shia militias in the anbar province the government is trying to recruit more groups. which is accused of pursuing sectarian. >> it was sunni fighting force which is won the battle seven years ago to get rid of al quaida and iraq, a predecessor to ice sill. >> the government re-negged on the promise to bring them into the national army, and abandoned them. their asked for international help, there is no hope from this public government at all, and the battle won't be over any time soon. >> tribes are suspicious of militias because of anbar's politics. shia militias have been blamed for revenge attacks. >> now they brought to you by the government, some of the propaganda, the government says they are about information. they are promoting the idea that the fight against isil is a fight for all of iraqis. just adipometers away, they have put untheir own posters praising the roll, highlighting and promote sectarian language. it is this kind of imagery that has the population both worries and angry. al jazeera,

up our troops here and preparing to take back ramadi. >> reporter: the forces here are mainly shia militiace prime minister abad-y brought in them they are flying a new flag. each militia has its own identity but all fight under this manner including this sunni fighter group. fortifying baghdad comes with a unique challenges. this is the bridge, the last safe place across from anbar province in to baghdad, with the operation now underway being it's likely that we'll see more scenes like this. fears of what comes next are common here. >> as long as we sunnis are mar yalemarginalized the fight will take a long time. sunnis are willing to fight. i would join the fight if the government accepts us. >> reporter: iraqi security forces have opened and close third degree bridge at random, concerned that ice it's fighters will enter baghdad disguised and displaced people. only increasing the tension. they ever a huge challenge on their hands in secure western anbar province and defeating isil think it's also securing baghdad as well. many people say if baghdad falls, isil have won. but there are al

definitely between the tribes and the shia militia. secondly, it's more weakening the central government. why? because it's not the army who is getting in. >> ramadi was isil's first major gain after a series of defeat in recent months. the united states, which leads the coalition against isil insists that it is confident that ramadi will be recaptured. that may happen, but in recaptured territory there is no re reconciliation among sunni and shia. >>> there may be the ability for europe to intercept people smugglers before they reach europe. >> today the main point will be taking the decision to establish the operation the e.u. operation to dismantle the networks that are smuggling people into the mediterranean. i expect the decision to be taken tray. >> well, al jazeera's jacky rowland has the latest from brussels. >> e.u. ministers are looking to adopt a comprehensive package on the issue of migration. now the military aspect of that fighting smugglers. but there is the longer term plans to address the root causes of migration and a

shia militias are getting ready for a counter offensive. >>> and a full cricket team is in pakistan forhe first time since a sri lanka team was attacked six years ago. ♪ >>> hello. small groups of protesters have been demonstrated in burundi's capitol. at least eight people have been arrested. the demonstrators are opposing the president's plans to run for a third term. l -- saying it is unconstitutional. adam reports from bujumbura. >> reporter: there were more people on streets on thursday and more police officers as well. the police and soldiers were not having the protests, so they put up a barricade and blocked the protesters. they were angry, and kept telling people go home go home. but people refused. the police then fired tear gas at the protesters and the people ran for cover. i spoke to the presidential advisor, and he says this is a peaceful country, and they are just disrupting things. he says as far as they are concerned as the government that they are linked to the alleged coup plotters because they were cheering. so that means they are guilty and he warned them if they co

in iraq, the fight against the armed group is led by shia militias, in syria, the u.s. coalition doesn't recognise the government's legitimacy. it doesn't have a partner on the ground. in recent months, i.s.i.l. may have been on the defensive. that has changed >>> today's suicide bombing in iron saudi arabia marks a first official claim of an attack. it comes as little surprise because they vowed to attack shi'as in the kingdom. john terrett joins us with the story. >> 21 were killed in a deadly blast, most if not out were worshippers of the shia sect. leading up to the bombing shia residents had been voicing concerns that a bloody attack was coming if the saudi government didn't curb hate speeches aimed at them. >> this cellphone video shows the aftermath of an explosion in a packed mosque where more than 150 people were attending friday prayers. the room filled with smoke and dust. bloody people on the floor. there's chunks of concrete, chards of glass everywhere. i.s.i.l. said a suicide bomber carried out the attack. wearing a belt. i.s.i.l. says it will not rest unt

shia militias are at a base. eight police men were killed after i.s.i.l. fighters attacked a police station east of ramadi. zeina khodr reports from the iraqi capital baghdad. >> reporter: they are preparing for a war. they plan to push deep into the sunni heartland to recapture territory from the islamic state of iraq and levant. >> we are announcing that the popular mobil aceation forces are getting ready to take back anbar. people asked for our home. >> the anbar provincial council requested assistance when they fell to i.s.i.l. they are no longer millish owes and operating under the government. the u.s. expressed concern about deploying them in a sunni province chl it backs the decision. they say the paramilitary troops are stronger than the says. despite months of u.s. string regular forces are weak and were not able to hold ground in the face of i.s.i.l.'s offensive in anbar. the u.s. which leads the coalition is stepping up air strikes, promising to help the iraqi government recapture lost ground. i.s.i.l. is on the offensive. people on the conteste

shia militias have been blamed for attacks in areas i.s.i.l. fighters have been cleared from. if that happens in anbar, tribal leaders will not be able to stop their people joining i.s.i.l. the government is keen to show the latest offensive against i.s.i.l. is not about sectarianism. >> all over baghdad you'll see posters like these, promoting the iraqi army and the popular mobilization forces known as the shia militia, they brought by the government. some say they are propaganda the government says it's about information. they are promoting the idea that the fight against i.s.i.l. is a fight for all iraqis. a few meters away political parties put up their own posters praising their role highlighting the involvement of iran promoting sectarian language. it's this imagery that has iraq's population worried and angry. >> persecuted for their faith and driven from their homes, the plight of the rohingya people adrift and in peril. and later, finding the best way to cope as a sweltering heatwave hits southern india. india. >>> in context, a call to address the unprecedented flow

even the shia militia by themselves cannot do that in the short run. in the longer run the u.s.o invest in building up iraqi security forces to be able to control iraq. but in the short run there is no immediate solution to this so we're playing a game of rock and roll with i.s.i.s. hit them in tikrit, they move to ramadi. hit them in ramadi, they move somewhere else. at any rate, the iraqi security forces now are not a strong option. if our goal is to defeat i.s.i.s., you have to see what you have to work with and what you have to work with is the shia militias. >> ifill: derek harvey, does that mean i.s.i.s. has to be treated as a long-term enemy. >> clearly has to be treated as a long-term enemy, but i think we're overestimating the capability of fighting strength of the popular mobilization units of the shia militias. they are not that good and they've demonstrated that at the outsecurities of tikrit and in other places when they overwhelmingly overmatch sunni fighters in a small town or not a built-up area they do well. but in street fighting urban fighting against an organ

back a multi-sectarian forced to retake the city, which means it has accepted the use of a led shia militia in that effort. ramadi is 100 kilometers from the capital baghdad. the loss with a major blow to the government. >> authorities have agreed to allow thousands of families fleeing the islamic state into the capital. security forces had been keeping them out, fearing militants might infiltrate baghdad. >> ramadi is deserted after the islamic state seized control of the city. a black flag flies over the town's main square. some iraqi troops only got out by helicopter in the very last moment. months of fighting have left their mark on the city. the fall of ramadi is a significant setback for the iraqi army. >> it threatens the security situation in the capital and the southern provinces. >> thousands of people have fled fearing for thei thunited nations is ruggling to look after th iraq's government has been reluctt to work with shia militias in the fight for ramadi fearing that it could alienate the city's majority population. now baghdad has no other choice. >> god willing we will trium

. >> now the shia militias are ready to launch a counteroffensive against i.s.i.l. in ramadi, acting under the government sanctioned mobilization forces. they were responsible for pushing i.s.i.l. from some areas. they are accused of human rights abuses and many have not returned to their homes. >> in ramadi the regular army and the local police were no match for i.s.i.l. many were seen escaping from the city. many sunni leaders are blaming the government for the fall of this city. >> right now we have few options on the ground. the best is to train an armed local tribes. the only group operating under the command of the prime minister is a shia militia coalition. that will alienate sunni tribes. some said they would consider their involvement an iranian occupation of their province, there is concern. >> it's a sunni area, there's an ethnic dispute definitely. it's gone about 10 years. and there will be a clash between the tribes and the shia militia. ramadi was i.s.i.l.'s first major gain after a series of defeats. the united states which leads the coalition agains

reports a member of a shia militia set fire to a sunni endowment office. zeina khodr is on the phone from baghdad. tell us more. what is going on? >> there was overnight violence. according to police sources, shia militias who were accompanying pilgrims set fire to the sunni endowment office located on the outskirts of the district. it is a mainly sunni neighbourhood ... >>> apologies, we have lost that line there with zeina khodr. as we were reporting, shia militias set fire to a sunni endowment office on the outskirts of northern baghdad. apparently the office burnt along side with other 30 houses adjacent to it. resulting in property damages and some 15 people were injured, according to reports that sectarian tensions in iraq are on the rise. more on this story as we get it. the pakistan taliban said it carried out an attack on a bus in karachi. gunmen on motorcycles killed 43. the victims belonged to a branch of shia muslim >>> five have been killed and an american have been killed on an attack on a guest house in kabul. african security forces and att