The Iraq conflict is turning increasingly sectarian. The Sunni extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continues to tighten its grip on cities north of Baghdad. <br /><br />Mainly Shi-ite residents in the capital have responded to a call for volunteers by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, an influential Shi’ite leader. They are ready to defend their cities if ISIL’s offensive heads south.<br /><br />Ali Zamil, a Baghdad resident from Sadr city, explained: “We are ready to go and fight in Mosul, Ramadi, Tikrit, Diyali and Samarrul – in any province the Sayyid orders, even in Baghdad. People are ready, including Sunnis, Shi-ites, Kurds and Christians. All are ready to obey the orders of (Shi’ite leader) Sayyid Moqtada al-Sadr.<br /><br />According to the UN refugee agency, 300,000 people have been displaced in the last week of fighting.<br /><br />Many fled fighting in Mosul and have end up in Kalak, along the road to Eirbil. <br /><br />Aida Matar Jibal, a displaced person from Mosul said: “My house was bombed by planes from above and from ISIS (ISIL) on the ground. I have lost everything. My house is destroyed. Money, all is gone.”<br /><br />When Mosul fell to ISIL, many displaced people moved to a makeshift camp in Kalak.<br /><br />Fadhil Ali Shaher, who fled from Mosul said: “I don’t think we can return. Iraq is destroyed.”
