Iraq Army in Tikrit/Clear-Up Operation begins + Video

Wed Apr 1, 2015 14:49:08

Iraqi troops and Shiite paramilitary fighters were battling ISIS militants in northern Tikrit Wednesday, as the government forces sought to push the extremist group from the city.

Iraq's Interior Minister Mohammed al-Ghabban said security forces were fighting to clear the last ISIS stronghold, the city's northern neighborhood of Qadissiyah.

"Most of Tikrit is liberated today. Only a few areas of resistance are remaining," Ghabban said.

Iraq allied forces have been in a month-long fight for the city, which became a bastion for the terrorist who are at war with Baghdad government.

Yesterday Iraq's security forces have reached Tikrit city Centre and raised the Iraqi flag over the provincial government building.

Yesterday Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory Tuesday in the weeks-long battle to retake Tikrit from the ISIS group, Baghdad's biggest operation yet against the terrorists.

He "announces the liberation of Tikrit and congratulates Iraqi security forces and popular volunteers on the historic milestone," his official Twitter account said, referring to allied paramilitaries who have played a major role in the fighting.

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