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| Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces 'push into Tikrit' | Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces 'push into Tikrit' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Iraqi government forces are advancing into Tikrit on several fronts, forcing Islamic State militants to fall back to the centre of the city, officials say. | Iraqi government forces are advancing into Tikrit on several fronts, forcing Islamic State militants to fall back to the centre of the city, officials say. |
| Troops have reportedly taken the Industrial Zone and Celebrations Square near the city centre, after seizing the Qadisiya area further north. | Troops have reportedly taken the Industrial Zone and Celebrations Square near the city centre, after seizing the Qadisiya area further north. |
| They also now hold the Teaching Hospital and New Ouja in the south, and al-Diyum and al-Hayakil in the west. | They also now hold the Teaching Hospital and New Ouja in the south, and al-Diyum and al-Hayakil in the west. |
| Up to 30,000 personnel are involved in the operation, now in its 11th day. | Up to 30,000 personnel are involved in the operation, now in its 11th day. |
| It is the biggest offensive against Islamic State (IS) mounted by Iraq's government since the jihadist group captured large parts of the country last June. | It is the biggest offensive against Islamic State (IS) mounted by Iraq's government since the jihadist group captured large parts of the country last June. |
| The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, said on Wednesday he was certain the operation was going to succeed, despite the fact that US-led coalition air power was not being used. | The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, said on Wednesday he was certain the operation was going to succeed, despite the fact that US-led coalition air power was not being used. |
| But with Iranian-backed Shia militia leading the fight for Tikrit and the Iranian military helping to co-ordinate it, he voiced concerns about what would happen to the city's Sunni population when the fighting was over. | But with Iranian-backed Shia militia leading the fight for Tikrit and the Iranian military helping to co-ordinate it, he voiced concerns about what would happen to the city's Sunni population when the fighting was over. |
| Meanwhile, the BBC has seen video evidence that IS militants are using chlorine gas as a weapon on the battlefield in Tikrit. | Meanwhile, the BBC has seen video evidence that IS militants are using chlorine gas as a weapon on the battlefield in Tikrit. |
| The Iraqi government said small amounts of the chemical were being used in crude roadside bombs targeting its forces. | The Iraqi government said small amounts of the chemical were being used in crude roadside bombs targeting its forces. |
| Are you or someone you know in the area? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | |
| Please include a telephone number if you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist. | |
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