The United States is sending 275 U.S. troops to Iraq, with the permission of the Iraqi government. The U.S. has already sent about 100 servicemembers to help security at the embassy in Baghdad.

However, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is showing no signs of reconciliation with minority groups — which would gain him the full cooperation of the United States. Nor does it look likely that he will be replaced anytime soon.

U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay said that all evidence points to war crimes on the part of ISIS/DAASH militants. According to their sources, hundreds of non-combatants, including soldiers who had surrendered, have been killed in the last few days. The United Nations has moved 58 staff members out of Baghdad in case the fighting reaches there.