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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
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 in 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 in June.
Tikrit, about 110 miles northwest of Baghdad and the birthplace of Saddam Hussein, is a strategic foothold along a key highway linking the capital and Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq. Mosul also is held by the Islamic State.Tikrit, about 110 miles northwest of Baghdad and the birthplace of Saddam Hussein, is a strategic foothold along a key highway linking the capital and Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq. Mosul also is held by the Islamic State.
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 backed by artillery fire and airstrikes from Iraqi fighter jets, officials said. Iraqi officials said more than 10,000 fighters — including soldiers, federal police, and both Sunni and Shiite factions — attacked areas around Tikrit from three sides. The forces were 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]
“This is only the first stage of the battle,” said Aday Thanoon, a member of the provincial council in Salahuddin, where Tikrit is located. “This is only the first stage of the battle,” said Aday Thanoon, a member of the provincial council in Salahuddin province, where Tikrit is located.
Thanoon and other officials said warplanes from a U.S.-led coalition that has been striking Islamic State targets in Iraq since August were not providing air cover for the Tikrit offensive.Thanoon and other officials said warplanes from a U.S.-led coalition that has been striking Islamic State targets in Iraq since August were not providing air cover for the Tikrit offensive.
“Maybe in the coming days there will be airstrikes from the coalition,” Thanoon said.“Maybe in the coming days there will be airstrikes from the coalition,” Thanoon said.
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 defensive lines around the city. They have already contended with improvised explosive devices, snipers and booby-trapped houses on the way to Tikrit. A spokesman for the coalition said it had not yet carried out any airstrikes because the Iraqi government did not request support.
Officials said troops “liberated” villages south of Tikrit, about 15 miles from the city, on Monday afternoon. Pro-government forces had already encountered improvised explosive devices, snipers and booby-trapped houses on the way to Tikrit.
“The operation is not going to be easy. It will be hard,” said Jassim al-Jubara, the head of the area’s security committee.“The operation is not going to be easy. It will be hard,” said Jassim al-Jubara, the head of the area’s security committee.
As Jubara spoke by telephone Monday, a man could be heard informing him that his 24-year-old nephew had been killed on the battlefield.As 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,” Jubara responded. “We are all sacrificing for Iraq.”“Praise God,” Jubara responded. “We are all sacrificing for Iraq.”
Tikrit and surrounding areas are populated by Sunnis, who 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.Tikrit and surrounding areas are populated by Sunnis, who 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, 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. Hours before the offensive, on Sunday night, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called on Sunni tribesmen fighting with the Islamic State to abandon the extremist group. Shiite militias have committed 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 of the Iraqi army at Camp Speicher. Many Iraqi Shiites believe Sunni tribesmen helped gun down the troops.In Tikrit last summer, Islamic State militants massacred as many as 1,700 Shiite soldiers of the Iraqi army at Camp Speicher. Many Iraqi Shiites believe Sunni tribesmen helped gun down the troops.
Iran’s Fars News Agency said Monday that the offensive is being assisted by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the commander of the elite Quds Force, Gen. Ghasem Soleimani. Iran’s Fars News Agency said Monday that the offensive is being assisted by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the commander of the elite Quds Force, Maj. Gen. Qasem 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 visiting various battle fronts in Iraq in recent months. But the latest report could not be independently confirmed.
Mustafa Salim in Baghdad, and Missy Ryan and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. Mustafa Salim in Baghdad and Missy Ryan and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.
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