激進分子襲擊伊拉克主要煉油廠

Sunni Islamist militants have attacked Iraq's main oil refinery, causing damage to the site in the latest stage of a surge that has included seizing territory across northern Iraq.

The militants clashed with security forces at the refinery Wednesday in Baiji, which is located about halfway between Baghdad and Mosul. Militants took control of Mosul last week.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pledged Wednesday that his majority Shi'ite country would do whatever is necessary to protect Shi'ite holy sites in Iraq from what he called "terrorists."

Also Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama is due to host congressional leaders to discuss the situation in Iraq and possible responses to the militant advances.

The White House meeting comes as Mr. Obama considers a range of possibilities including assistance to Iraqi security forces and carrying out airstrikes, while stressing the need for political unity.遜尼派伊斯蘭激進分子襲擊伊拉克的主要煉油廠，對該設施造成破壞。這是激進分子暴亂的最新行動。激進分子佔領了伊拉克北部的很多地區。

激進分子星期三與安全部隊在拜吉煉油廠發生衝突。拜吉位於巴格達和摩蘇爾之間。激進分子上星期佔領了摩蘇爾。

伊朗總統魯哈尼星期三誓言，將採取一切必要手段保護伊拉克的什葉派聖地免遭“恐怖分子”佔領。什葉派在伊朗人口中佔多數。

美國總統奧巴馬星期三將會見國會領導人，討論伊拉克局勢以及可能對遜尼派伊斯蘭激進分子暴亂做出的反應。

在白宮即將舉行此次會議之際，奧巴馬正在考慮一系列選擇方案，包括援助伊拉克安全部隊以及發動空襲，同時強調保持政治團結的必要性。