Iraqi forces begin offensive to recapture Tikrit
11 March 2015 11:15 PM GMT
Iraqi troops launched a military operation early Tuesday in order to regain control of the city of Tikrit and liberate it from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Iraqi security sources told Efe news agency.
Tikrit has been under the jihadi group’s control since June and is the capital of the strategic Salahuddin province, and so has remained a critical location for Iraqi authorities, who made attempts on recapturing it earlier in the month.
Control of Salahuddin is essential for a viable crackdown on IS extremists in Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city and the main stronghold of the jihadis.
During Tuesday’s operation, the national forces, backed by Shia militias and tribal fighters, successfully secured three points of access to Tikrit to drive the IS jihadis out.
The troops, with the support of the Iraqi air force and army aviation, entered Tikrit from the southern area of Shishin, western area of al-Diyum and northern area of al-Qadesiya, the source said, while other security forces have been deployed to the eastern front to prevent IS fighters from escaping.
Tikrit has been under the jihadi group’s control since June and is the capital of the strategic Salahuddin province, and so has remained a critical location for Iraqi authorities, who made attempts on recapturing it earlier in the month.
Control of Salahuddin is essential for a viable crackdown on IS extremists in Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city and the main stronghold of the jihadis.
During Tuesday’s operation, the national forces, backed by Shia militias and tribal fighters, successfully secured three points of access to Tikrit to drive the IS jihadis out.
The troops, with the support of the Iraqi air force and army aviation, entered Tikrit from the southern area of Shishin, western area of al-Diyum and northern area of al-Qadesiya, the source said, while other security forces have been deployed to the eastern front to prevent IS fighters from escaping.
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