The Iraq government is locked up in a major conflict with Sunni Muslim insurgents who took hold of strategic locations in the country in the past week. Key regions in the city of Baquba are now under rebel control. A local police station was set on fire and 44 prisoners were killed in the incident.

275 military staff was deployed in various parts of the capital to deal with exigencies. Reports by local media hinted that the country is under immense political pressure to split off as the Sunni majority regions are intimidated by the Shia majority central government.

Sunni militants broke through cities of Mosul and Tikrit last week and headed to capture Tal Afar on Monday. Rebels also took control of various regions in the western outskirts of the country. The occupancy by militants and security forces have prompted mass exits by residents in different parts of the country.

Militants are currently targeting the provincial capital city of Baquba. The government has launched air strikes in Tal Afar city where over 2 lakh people of Sunni and Shia origin reside. US President Barack Obama has ordered to sent over 250 military forces to protect the US embassy building and citizens in the country. The forces are ordered to remain in the region until security situation improves.