Iraqi security forces together with Shi'ite militia took the center of a town on the northern edge of Tikrit from Islamic State on Tuesday as they surrounded Saddam Hussein's home city.
The town of Al-Alam is the last town that needs to be cleared from ISIL militants before the forces and militiamen can enter the city of Tikrit itself.
Tikrit, around 80 miles north of Baghdad, was overrun by the militants in June and Iraqi forces retreated weeks later after fierce fighting.
The fight for Tikrit and its result will allow Iraqi security forces to move further north and recapture Mosul, the largest city under Islamic State rule.
The operation to retake Tikrit, which began one week ago, is the biggest since Islamic State took control across the north last year, and the Iraqi government is confident it will be able to stop the militants from spreading their self-proclaimed caliphate.
