Iraq recaptures nation’s largest oil refinery

Iraqi forces have recaptured the critical city of Beiji from Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Beiji is home to Iraq’s largest oil refinery, and the victory ends a monthslong siege of the town. It had been held by ISIS since last month.

{mosads}U.S. airstrikes have killed hundreds of the group’s fighters, but ISIS’s propaganda war has shown no signs of ending. The group this week announced plans to extend its caliphate to Egypt and Tunisia. 

President Obama has requested an additional $5.6 billion in funds from Congress to battle ISIS, and has announced plans to send another 1,500 U.S. advisers to Iraq.

Congress in the lame-duck session could consider a new authorization of military force against ISIS.

Some Republicans have repeatedly questioned the administration’s strategy, with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) this week saying that ground troops could be necessary.