Iraq: al-Qaeda stages military parade in Diyala village

Militants linked to al-Qaeda are reported to have staged a military parade in the village of Miqdadiya, in Diyala province north of Baghdad, to demonstrate their viability in the face of a massive US offensive in the area. Despite the presence of 10,000 US and Iraqi troops in the Sunni-dominated province, more than 250 militants took to the streets in a show of force, the news agency, Voices of Iraq, said. The terrorists marched through the al-Muallimin quarter of Miqdadiya, around 50 kilometres from Baaquba, the capital of the province where militants linked to al-Qaeda have been under attack.They reportedly marched in the streets thrusting their weapons in the air and carrying flags with 'Iraqi Islamic State' inscribed on them. More...