Ultra-hardline Sunni Group

Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite cleric called for a global war against Islamic State today, a day after the prime minister said he would welcome Russian air strikes against the group on Iraqi soil.

Seventeen people were killed in Iraq today in clashes between Islamic State militants and pro-government forces in a town close to the country's biggest refinery, a focal point in efforts to counter the ultra-hardline Sunni group.

The flow of European fighters from Europe to territory held by the ultra-hardline Islamic State is drying up due to tighter restrictions imposed by European states that have prevented would-be jihadis from travelling, fighters from the group said.

Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite cleric called for a global war against Islamic State today, a day after the prime minister said he would welcome Russian air strikes against the group on Iraqi soil.

Seventeen people were killed in Iraq today in clashes between Islamic State militants and pro-government forces in a town close to the country's biggest refinery, a focal point in efforts to counter the ultra-hardline Sunni group.

The flow of European fighters from Europe to territory held by the ultra-hardline Islamic State is drying up due to tighter restrictions imposed by European states that have prevented would-be jihadis from travelling, fighters from the group said.