Baiji refinery

A general view of the Baiji oil refinery, Iraq's largest, in 2009. Today it's being held — barely — by Iraqi forces against ISIS fighters.

As the US bombs ISIS oil in Syria, militants lay siege to Iraq’s biggest refinery

September 25, 2014Conflict

ISIS fighters surrounded Iraq’s largest refinery in June, but Iraqi troops have kept control of this key oil facility for three months — even securing a visit by the country’s new oil minister. Taking over the refinery would be a huge boost for the militant group as the US bombs its oil facilities in Syria.