Iraqi Forces Drive Islamic State out of Key Areas in Tikrit

Iraqi security forces, assisted by Shia militias, claimed to have retaken key areas of Tikrit, including the provincial government complex, as the major offensive to free the city from the Islamic State drags on.

Iraqi security forces, assisted by Shia militias, claimed to have retaken key areas of Tikrit, including the provincial government complex, as a major offensive to free the city from the Islamic State drags on.

Breaking Iraqi flag was raised over the educational supervisory building in Tikrit advancement continues #TikritOp #ISIS #Tikrit

— Steven Nabil (@stevoiraq) 30 Март 2015

Salaheddin Governor Raad al-Juburi and Karim al-Nuri, a spokesman for the Badr militia, confirmed the reports. Tikrit is the capital of the Salaheddin Governorate.

The massive campaign to drive the militants out of northern Iraq, who captured the area in June 2014, was launched on March 2. Tikrit is seen as the largest roadblock on the way to liberating Mosul, the Islamic State's stronghold in Iraq and the second largest city in the country.