Iraqi government forces have been fighting with Sunni rebels for control of the country’s biggest oil refinery.<br /><br />The sprawling Baiji refinery has been transformed into a battlefield as troops loyal to the Shi’ite led government struggle to hold Islamic insurgents.<br /><br />The city lies squarely in territory captured in the past week by an array of Sunni groups, spearheaded by ISIL.<br /><br />Shi’ite militias are coordinating with a regrouped military boosted by an injection of volunteers.<br /><br />But many of those who’ve enlisted to help repel rebel forces have only rallied at the request of top Shi’ite cleric Ali al-Sistani.<br /><br />The volunteers have been brought to Baghdad from across Iraq for a one week training course before being sent to cities controlled by the militants.<br /><br />“We are ready and all the Iraqis are united as Shi’ites, Sunnis, Sabians and all other sects. We will remain loyal soldiers for a great Iraq,” said one volunteer.<br /><br />According to official records, more than two million people have signed on to take up arms.<br /><br />With the regular army loosing or giving up ground, the government is now relying on men like these for its survival.
