URGENT: ISIS Declares Battle for Baghdad Has Begun

From a reliable source on Twitter and ISIS itself. The group has declared that they are aiming to seize the capital of Iraq as it is thrown into chaos due to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's apparent coup. Foreigners, including the US Embassy staff have fled the city. ISIS appears to be pulling forces away from the Kurdish front to face the faltering Iraqi government in Baghdad.

We are looking for more information as it comes in.

THE BIG BATTLE! #BreakingNews #ISIS declared the battle of #Baghdad has started.. #Iraq

— Rami (@RamiAlLolah) August 11, 2014

#BREAKING The Islamic State announces the battle for the liberation of #Baghdad has begun #IS #Iraq #BattleOfBaghdad — Abdullah (@mujahid4life) August 11, 2014

Let us hope this is not true as intermittent explosions have rocked the city for the last twenty-four hours. It is not clear if this is due to Maliki, anti-Maliki government forces, or ISIS-- or perhaps all three.

UPDATE: Heavy gunfire in the capital:

#BreakingNews Extreme intense gun fire going on near Shurtah 5th district in south west of #Baghdad. #Iraq #ISIS

— Rami (@RamiAlLolah) August 11, 2014

And the airport came under heavy attack:

Iraqi rebels fire 25 rockets on Baghdad International Airport. Buildings and runways have been damaged #Iraq

— The New Yorkers (@TischNewYorkers) August 11, 2014