US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged the leaders of the state’s autonomous Kurdish region to join Baghdad in forming an inclusive government.<br /><br />Kurdish troops have seized on the conflict in the north of the country to expand their territory. They have reportedly taken control of rich oil deposits, as well as Kirkuk, a city they consider their historic capital.<br /><br />Under Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, officials have made it clear the resolution keeping Iraq together as a state is in danger. <br /><br />But Kerry appealed for unity.<br /><br />“In recent days the security cooperation between the forces here, in the Kurdish area, have been really critical in helping to draw a line in respect to ISIL,” he said.<br /><br />Washington’s plea comes as militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) take over more cities in the north.<br /><br />The strategically-placed Baiji oil refinery has been fought over for almost a week.<br /><br />Although the Ministry of Defence released a video claiming to show Iraqi forces thwarting an attack on the plant, Baghdad still appears to be struggling to secure its grip on Sunni provinces.
