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Iraqi forces launch offensive to take strategic city from Islamic State Iraqi forces launch offensive to take strategic city from Islamic State
(35 minutes later)
BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces backed by Shiite militiamen opened a large-scale operation Monday seeking to retake the Islamic State-held city of Tikrit, a critical stepping stone for possible wider attempts to reclaim territory in northern Iraq. BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces backed by Shiite militiamen and Sunni tribal fighters opened a large-scale operation Monday seeking to retake the Islamic State-held city of Tikrit, a critical stepping stone for wider attempts to reclaim territory in northern Iraq.
The offensive — announced on Iraqi state television — marks the third attempt by government forces to regain control of the city from the Islamic State fighters who seized it last June.The offensive — announced on Iraqi state television — marks the third attempt by government forces to regain control of the city from the Islamic State fighters who seized it last June.
Tikrit, about 80 miles north of Baghdad and the birthplace of Saddam Hussein, is a strategic foothold along a key highway linking Baghdad and Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq. Mosul also is held by the Islamic State.Tikrit, about 80 miles north of Baghdad and the birthplace of Saddam Hussein, is a strategic foothold along a key highway linking Baghdad and Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq. Mosul also is held by the Islamic State.
Senior Iraqi officials said security forces, joined by Shiite gunmen and pro-government Sunni fighters, had attacked Tikrit from three sides. The soldiers were also backed by artillery fire and airstrikes from Iraqi fighter jets, according to the Iraqiya state television channel. Iraqi officials said more than 10,000 fighters — including soldiers, federal police, and both Sunni and Shiite factions — had attacked areas around Tikrit from three sides. The forces were also backed by artillery fire and airstrikes from Iraqi fighter jets, officials said.
[Watch: Islamic State smashes artifacts in Mosul][Watch: Islamic State smashes artifacts in Mosul]
It was not immediately clear whether the U.S.-led coalition will shift airstrikes to the Tikrit area to aid the ground forces. “This is only the first stage of the battle,” said Aday Thanoon, a member of the provincial council in Salahuddin, where Tikrit is located.
But government-led forces appeared to hold back on a push to break through the defensive lines around the city. Thanoon and other officials said warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition, which has been striking Islamic State targets in Iraq since August, were not providing air cover for the Tikrit offensive.
Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, the military commander for region around Tikrit, told state TV that the operation was “going on as planned,” but he noted that “some time” was need to try to enter the city. “Maybe in the coming days there will be airstrikes from the coalition,” Thanoon said.
Tikrit and surrounding areas are populated by Sunnis, which view the Shiite-led government in Baghdad with suspicion. Officials said troops had “liberated” villages south of Tikrit, about 15 miles from the city. But government-led forces appeared to hold back on a push to break through the city’s defensive lines around the city. Forces have already encountered improvised explosive devices, snipers, and booby-trapped houses on the way to the Tikrit.
The presence of Shiite forces — which have close ties to Shiite power Iran — could be a test of Sunni cooperation in the region. “The operation is not going to be easy. It will be hard,” said Jassim al-Jubara, the head of the area’s security committee.
Iran’s Fars news agency said offensive is being assisted by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including the commander of the elite Quds force, Gen. Ghasem Soleimani. As al-Jubara spoke by telephone Monday, a man could be heard informing him that his 24-year-old nephew had been killed on the battlefield.
“Praise God,” al-Jubara responded. “We are all sacrificing for Iraq.”
Tikrit and surrounding areas are populated by Sunnis, which view the Shiite-led government in Baghdad with suspicion. The presence of Shiite forces — which have close ties to Shiite power Iran — could be a test of Sunni cooperation in the region.
Hours before the offensive on Sunday night, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called on Sunni tribesmen fighting with the Islamic State to abandon the extremist group. Shiite militias have carried out abuses against Sunni residents they suspect of aiding the militants, rights groups have said.
In Tikrit last summer, Islamic State militants massacred as many as 1,700 Shiite soldiers from the Iraqi army at Camp Speicher. Many Iraqi Shiites believe local Sunni tribesmen helped gun down the troops.
Iran’s Fars news agency on Monday said offensive is being assisted by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including the commander of the elite Quds force, Gen. Ghasem Soleimani.
Iran is a major opponent of the Islamic State, and Soleimani has been shown in various battle fronts in Iraq over the past months. But the latest report could not be independently confirmed.Iran is a major opponent of the Islamic State, and Soleimani has been shown in various battle fronts in Iraq over the past months. But the latest report could not be independently confirmed.
In June, Islamic State militants seized the city as part of a lightning assault on northern Iraq that also saw Mosul fall to the extremists. Mustafa Salim in Baghdad, and Missy Ryan and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.
In the wake of their attack on the city, the extremists executed as many as 1,700 Iraqi army soldiers – all Shiites – at Camp Speicher.
Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.