Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed yesterday that 300 more of the Australian Defence Force would be deployed to Iraq in a non-combat training role.

Australians travelling to the northern Iraq city of Mosul without a legitimate reason face jail.

As many as one million people could flee Mosul in northern Iraq if the Iraqi Army, backed by US air strikes, seeks to recapture the city this year, aid agencies have said.

New Zealand troops are preparing for a two-year tour in Iraq to help the fight against Islamic State. This is what they are up against.

Despite the forthrightness of the announcement that we're off to Iraq, much remains unclear, writes Paul Little.

Auckland peace activist Harmeet Sooden is going back to Iraq, where he was held hostage for four months.

Bad news, peaceniks. If you oppose the deployment of NZ troops to Iraq, you are gutless, a coward, at least in the estimation of the Prime Minister, writes Toby Manhire.

There’s been widespread sceptism and outrage in response to the Government’s announcement that New Zealand troops will be sent to Iraq, writes Bryce Edwards.

In November Prime Minister Key referred to ISIL as a ‘game changer’ for New Zealand. I wasn’t convinced, especially as the government was focusing on the domestic aspect in seeking to justify increased surveillance powers.

Passions over the announced deployment of a New Zealand training mission to Iraq spilled over in Parliament again yesterday.

The quality of New Zealand's training contribution to the Iraqi armed forces would be a welcome addition to the fight against Isis (Islamic State), Iraq's ambassador to New Zealand, Mouayed Saleh, said last night.

No sooner was the announcement made that New Zealand was heading to Iraq, the war of words broke out.

A marine has been found guilty of murdering famed US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle at a gun range two years ago.

NZ soldiers training Iraqi troops near Baghdad will not be taking a "them-and-us" view of the Iraqis but a partnership approach.

An angry John Key has lashed out at the Opposition over its attacks over New Zealand's Iraq mission, saying “Get some guts and join the right side.”

Herald political writer John Armstrong says the PM's decision to bypass the media when announcing his decision shows he is failing.

John Key today announced that he was sending 143 NZ military personnel to Iraq to help train Iraqi forces fighting Islamic jihadists. Here is his full statement to Parliament:

New Zealand troops sent to Iraq to help in the fight against Isis will not be 'on the front line', Prime Minister John Key says.

Prime Minister John Key has all but confirmed that up to 100 New Zealand Defence Force staff will be sent to the Middle East to help Australia train Iraqi soldiers to fight Isis .

Cabinet is expected to approve sending soldiers to help Iraqi forces fight the Islamic State group when it meets tomorrow.

NZ troops are preparing to return to Iraq, a decade after Kiwi soldiers were last in the violence-wracked nation. On Monday the cabinet is expected to set the ground rules for the deployment.

Militants from Isis have burned 45 people to death in the western Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, according to the local police chief.

Mobile phones are banned and punishments are draconian, yet residents of Iraqi city Mosul enjoy certain benefits under Isis rule.

There is no crime of war, nor crime against humanity that they have not committed, writes Alexander Gillespie. But what is NZ's risk in getting involved?

Last June the US tried a bold rescue mission to gather hostages taken by Isis. It failed. All the hostages have since died. Was the White House to blame?

The Iraqi Government has asked for New Zealand's help to fight the Islamic State by describing the battle as World War III.

Iraq has issued a general invitation to the international community for support, the country's foreign minister says.

They're being lured with promises of reclaiming a lost Islamic empire. But foreign fighters for Isis often in up on the front lines, or as suicide bombers.