At least 28 Daesh terrorists have been killed in Iraqi air forces and U.S.-led international coalition airstrikes on Tikrit.

“The international coalition is supporting the action against Daesh (ISIL) by air. Also, al-Hashid al-Shaabi commanders are getting advice from Iran,” Ahmed el-Karim, Saladin province’s council chief, said.

Karim, however, said there were no Iranian soldiers on the ground in his province, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Iraqi Air Force conducted 25 airstrikes on ISIL positions in Tirkit, Iraqi News said, citing a security source.

Meanwhile, the second stage of Tikrit’s operation against Daesh has been discussed between Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, Minister of Defense Khalid al-Obaidi and General Talib Shugati, according to Iraq’s Ministry of Defense statement.

Earlier on Thursday, Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid Obeidi said that Tikrit was completely surrounded by the country's military and local militias.

Iraqi forces’ plan to retake Tikrit would be a step forward in seizing Mosul, Daesh’s largest stronghold in Iraq.

According to “Iraqi news” Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Wednesday, the beginning to complete the final phase of the military operations to liberate Salahuddin province, calling the Iraqi people not to listen to the “traders of blood,” and emphasizing the Iraqi forces’ pursuit to hunt down ISIS leaders.

Yesterday Baghdad Operations Command announced, that 54 terrorists have been either killed or injured in an operation by the security forces in eastern al-Karma.