Iraq’s Balad braced for battle with ISIL
Residents told to stock up on food and fuel as government forces confront group over control of strategic areas.
Published On 10 Dec 2014
Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish government says 727 of its fighters have been killed in battles with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) since June.
ISIL has been trying to take control of strategic areas in Iraq. The latest town to come under siege is Balad, north of Baghdad.
Security officials have told Balad’s roughly 150,000 residents to stock up on food and fuel as government forces confront the fighters.
Al Jazeera’s Jane Arraf reports from Baghdad.
Source: Al Jazeera