“Iraqi government forces, backed by Shia Muslim and Kurdish militias, are reportedly holding back an advance by Sunni militants north of Baghdad. A number of towns have been retaken from the rebels, but they still control the key cities of Tikrit and Mosul. Reports speak of heavy clashes round the city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, with mortar shelling of some districts. A US aircraft carrier has been deployed to the Gulf in response to the escalating violence.”

Source: BBC News – Iraq conflict: Sunni militant push on Baghdad ‘halted’