Kurdish fighters attacked ISIS in Jalula and the militant group took partial control of an oil refinery in Baiji. Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said Iran will spare no effort in protecting Shiite sites in Iraq.
"WE are coming, Baghdad".
They may have been bluffing with this tweet at the height of their chilling rampage through Iraq this week, but in 19 characters the brutal Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) achieved an objective which was far more than to simply terrify and terrorise.
The Islamist State's sophisticated business plan began to be realised after it claimed its biggest prize yet — Iraq's second most populous city Mosul — more than 10 days ago, prompting the prime minister to request a state of emergency and forcing the United States and Australia to act.
In response to the lightning gains that seemed impossible just weeks ago, President Barack Obama has stepped up intelligence gathering in Iraq and vowed to send 300 Green Beret special operations forces to help stem an insurgency that is pushing towards the capital.
And Australia's Defence Minister David Johnston yesterday dispatched up to 30 troops to the Baghdad embassy as conditions worsened, the first Aussie soldiers to enter the country since the withdrawal in 2011.
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Fighters have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, left a suspected death toll of thousands and alarmed Western nations who fear the establishment of a vast new "terror" haven.
The top trending tweet for the word "Baghdad" was an example of how ISIS — al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State militants — executes a slick social media strategy to create "buzz" around their atrocious activities.
In addition to the Twitter taunt, accompanied by an image of an ISIS fighter superimposed on the skyline of the Iraq capital, the extreme terror group has used the social networking tool to flaunt their atrocities.
It has posted photos of Iraqi prisoners being massacred, with mocking captions, to strike fear and anger among Shia security forces and civilians and further fuel the country's sectarian conflict.
The Islamic extremists, who want to carve out an Islamic caliphate stretching across parts of the two countries, also used social media to boast about demolishing the berm — a European-built border — dividing Iraq and Syria.
On watch ... Leading Aircraftsman Luke Lispet and Leading Aircraftsman Matthew Hatton provide security at the Australian Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Source: Supplied
Protecting Australia's embassy ... Private Daniel Holcroft, from Security Detachment 8, on guard outside the Australian Embassy in Baghdad. Source: Supplied
Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Institute for International Policy said that for Islamist groups, social media platforms are equal parts recruiting tool, fundraising tool and branding tool.
"Video of victorious Islamic warriors parading captured Western equipment and hundreds of kaffir prisoners does wonders for the (ISIS) brand, which in turn attracts volunteers to its ranks and money into its coffers," he said.
"These guys are the most aspirational out of all the (jihadi) groups and you'd have to say, after the last week, certainly the highest profile."
The name of the Sunni militant group is cited in western media in two different ways but ISIS and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) are the same.
Something else that sets ISIS apart is their desire to carve out a geographical territory for themselves to govern like they are doing in Ar-Raqqah — the province they have taken in Syria.
"That's what makes them different from some of the other groups like al-Qaeda which has affiliates and a broad focus but is not about creating geographical areas because they're too disparate," Dr Shanahan said.
The campaign by ISIS has raised the spectre of the sectarian warfare that nearly tore the country apart in 2006 and 2007, with the popular mobilisation to fight the insurgents taking an increasingly sectarian slant.
On the move .. al-Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants arrive to the country's largest oil refinery in Beiji. Picture: AP Photo via militant video on social media Source: AP
Multiple factors — including political disenfranchisement and poor military leadership — have contributed to the country's rapidly deteriorating security situation and provided fertile ground for the fast-moving militants to seize Mosul, Tikrit and other towns in Iraq as the country's military melted away.
Since insurgents launched their lightning assault last week, they have pressed hundreds of kilometres south along the Tigris river valley, taking Fallujah and Ramadi.
By Friday US President Barack Obama said he was ready to launch 'targeted' strikes against jihadist fighters in Iraq but played down the prospect of wider intervention unless there was major political reform in Baghdad. He told Iraq's sectarian government that America will not launch a bombing campaign in support of 'one sect'.
Mr Obama announced that up to 300 military experts will travel to the Iraqi capital to help the beleaguered Iraqi regime resist the onslaught by the extremist group but that US combat troops would not return to Iraq. This brings the number of extra US troops being flung into the midst of Iraq's volatile security situation to about 600.
Anti troops ... Sunni tribal chief, sheik Ali Hatem al-Suleiman, says 300 military advisors from the US will only make it worse. Picture: AP Photo/Hussein Malla Source: AP
Sending advisory troops to Baghdad ... US President Barack Obama makes a statement on Iraq and America's role. Picture: Jim Watson Source: AFP
In return, the US wants Iraq's Shia-led regime to adopt a more 'inclusive' approach to the country's Sunni and Kurdish minorities because without long-term political changes, any short-term military solutions would be fleeting.
Al-Maliki, who rose from relative obscurity to office in 2006, when Iraq's sectarian bloodletting began to spiral out of control, quickly became known for a tough hand, working in alliance with American forces in the country since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Over the years that followed, Sunni tribes backed by the Americans rose up to fight al-Qaeda-linked militants, while al-Maliki showed a readiness to rein in Shiite militiamen — and by 2008, the violence had eased.
Since the withdrawal of American forces in late 2011, however, it has swelled again, stoked in part by al-Maliki himself who is accused of standing by during significant targeting of the Shia population and security forces.
Ready to fight ... Iraqi Shiite tribal fighters deploy with their weapons while chanting slogans against the al-Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, to help the military, which defends the capital in Baghdad's Sadr City, Iraq. Picture: Karim Kadim Source: AP
Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims (also known as Shiites and Shi'ite) are the two major denominations of Islam and have been divided since a leadership dispute in 632CE. Over time the political divide between the two groups broadened to include theological distinctions and differences in religious practices as well. Sunnis are the dominant denomination worldwide but Iraq is one of the few countries that has a Shiite majority at about 60-65 per cent.
Saddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim but the government is majority Shiite.
Fighting between the factions has intensified in the past six months, since ISIS overran Fallujah and Ramadi in the west.
Geared up ... Kurdish pehsmerga forces leave a vehicle, near Jalula, Iraq. Picture: AP Photo/Sky via AP video Source: AP
"Since that time there's been near constant operations in the west and in the week leading up to the fall of Mosul there's been significant fighting around there," Dr Shanahan said.
"The speed at which the military collapsed was significant but you can't really say it just came out of the blue. It's been a culmination of months of fighting and years of insurgency and for whatever reason the Iraqi military in the north reached a tipping point and collapsed."
Nevertheless, the ease at which ISIS took Mosul shocked the west.
Taking control ... al-Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants raise their weapons as they arrive to the country's largest oil refinery in Beiji. Picture: AP Photo via militant video on social media Source: AP
"People understood the fighting was happening but people assume that because there were nearly four divisions of relatively well equipped military in the north that ISIS would continue to try to push into certain areas … but continue to be rebuffed," Dr Shanahan said.
"And once something like that happens that's so unexpected — the shock of what we saw over the past week — it builds up its own sense of panic and sense of panic in the government ranks because no one ever thought this could happen.
"ISIS itself gained momentum and were able to barrel down the highway creating further momentum."
However, while the fall of Mosul was significant and startling, Baghdad is a big city — you can't just walk in.
Despite doubts ISIS could reach the green zone, foreign governments — including Australia — have begun pulling out diplomatic staff.
Australians have also been warned to "depart immediately", officials said, while commercial flights continue to operate.
On the brink of war ... Iraqi men brandish their weapons as they show their willingness to join Iraqi security forces in the fight against Jihadist militants who have taken over several northern Iraqi cities. Source: AFP
The Australian Government has begun withdrawing embassy staff and has been unwilling to confirm the number of its citizens in Iraq.
Private Australian security guards are among forces working to protect embassies and international facilities in the beleaguered capital.
The Lowy Institute's Military Fellow James Brown said dozens of former Australian military personnel were employed as private security contractors inside Iraq.
Brown said the Australian-founded private security company Unity Resources Group could alone have up to 40 Australians, including former special forces soldiers, protecting Australia's Baghdad embassy.
There is also growing alarm about Australians travelling to Syria and Iraq to fight with or support terrorist groups.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told parliament on Thursday that anyone doing so would "face the full force of our law" and that passports would be cancelled where it was suspected an individual posed a threat to security.
Aust has sent soldiers to protect embassy staff in Baghdad as the PM warns of the terrorist threat in Iraq.
"Our criminal code imposes strict penalties including up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians involved with terrorist organisations," she said.
Ms Bishop said the government condemned in the strongest terms actions of ISIL which is reported to have massacred 1700 Iraqi soldiers.
The Iraqi government hasn't yet sought assistance but Australia will provide $5 million in humanitarian aid through the UN World Food Program and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to support those fleeing the violence.
Dr Shanahan, who has MAs in International Relations and Middle East Studies and a PhD in Arab and Islamic Studies, said the US isn't responsible for the rise of ISIS, but "there's a causal link between what they did and how it's turned out".
"That link was that they never completely understood the nature of the country or the system that they were invading," he said.
"Everybody knows Obama never supported it so he doesn't feel the need to rush back in and protect those sunk costs."
Nor does Australia need to return to the war-torn country, he said.
Newly-recruited ... Iraqi volunteers, loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, in army uniforms take part in a training as thousands of Shiite volunteers join Iraqi security forces in the fight against Jihadist militants Picture: Ahmad Al-Rubaye Source: AFP
"We were there for one reason only — to service the US alliance. It always was a peripheral military issue and everybody understood why we were there.
"So if the place turns south, then that's unfortunate, but it's not a reflection on us.
"Whereas it was the US decision to do it, they lost 4500 dead, tens of thousands wounded, billions of dollars of sunk costs. On every level for the US it's (a disaster)."
In any case, it seems unlikely Australia will be asked to assist, he said.
"During the invasion the US needed allies because it wasn't popular. Everybody knew that they wanted as many flags as they could muster.
"This is a completely different issue so they don't need a grand coalition. In fact they want to do as little as they possibly can, just sufficient to make sure the government doesn't fall."
And while the Australian Government strongly condemns ISIL'S actions, Iraq is less of a priority than preventing ISIS to gain a foothold in the region.
"It is important that ISIS is defeated more than the government of Malaki stabilised and protected," he said.
"(Australia's investment in Iraq) — two Australians (died) during operations and others were wounded and we sunk hundreds of millions of dollars into the effort — is a consideration but it's not of sufficient import to prompt you to take political action."
Preapring for war ... Kurdish security forces set up combat positions outside the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Baghdad, Iraq. Source: AP
Meanwhile there have been calls for Iraq's Prime Minister, whose divisive regime is blamed for sowing the seeds for the rise of ISIS by discriminating against Sunni Muslims, to resign.
Both al-Maliki's Sunni opponents and many of his former Kurdish and Shiite allies have been clamouring to deny the prime minister a third term in office, saying he has excluded them from a narrow decision-making circle.
But Nouri al-Maliki, whose Shiite-led government has faced widespread dissatisfaction from its people despite coming out ahead at recent parliamentary elections, looks set to tough it out.
"Whether you like it or not they've just had an election and he would point out that his coalition was the most popular at the ballot box. I think that's why he's shown no inclination to step aside," Dr Shanahan said.
Gaining power ... al-Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants arrive to the country's largest oil refinery in Beiji. Picture: AP Photo via militant video on social media Source: AP
"They've changed military commanders so his intent is to stiffen up the military.
"Now is not the time to be stepping down. As PM you've got to tough it out and political realignment is going to happen after you defeat the security threat."
In the short term, Iraq needs to stabilise the security situation militarily. The challenge they face is regaining the regions ISIS has seized.
That's a battle that could take years to complete and will be fought as hard on the ground as it will be over social media.
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