Baghdad's boy army: Teenagers rush to join the call to defend city from ISIS militants who are fighting just 45 miles away - and Iraq's Christians say they fear being wiped out in the Islamist onslaught

Images coming out of Iraq today show youths brandishing automatic rifles as they march with the militias forming in the capital to fight back against the forces of ISIS. Similar pictures also emerged from Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 340 miles south-east of Baghdad. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had announced the Iraqi government would arm and equip civilians who volunteer to fight, and so far thousands have signed up. It comes as Iraq's dwindling but ancient Christian community is also fleeing the country following frequent attacks.

The Daily Mail (UK) | 16 June 2014