Iraqi Forces Enter Tikrit City

Reports indicate that Iraqi forces entered the city of Tikrit, one of the main strongholds of the Islamic State in Iraq, on Wednesday, March 10, after ten days of heavy fighting, aided by Shia militias. According to the Associated Press, heavy fighting continues in the 'Qadisiyyah' neighborhood of Tikrit, with heavy artillery reported in the area. Khayoun Rashid, the police chief of Salahuddin province, stated, 'The terrorists are fleeing the area and are trying to find escape routes using personal vehicles.' The Islamic State, or ISIS, has taken control of nearly one-third of Iraq's territory. It has also been reported that Iraqi forces are advancing in Qadisiyyah and have retaken several positions from the Islamic State militia. Tikrit, the capital of Salahuddin province, is located 130 kilometers north of Baghdad. With the recapture of Tikrit, Iraqi forces will be able to send the necessary equipment to retake Mosul. American forces have stated that they will provide the necessary air support for the Mosul recapture operation. It has been said that the Mosul operation may begin in one or two months with the presence of nearly 25,000 Iraqi military personnel. A day earlier, Iraqi forces managed to retake the city of 'Al-Alam.' The United States has stated that it did not provide military support for the Tikrit operation. In this context, Jaafari: Cleaning Iraq of terrorists with the help of IRGC commanders 'Northern areas of Tikrit' have been retaken from the Islamic State. 'ISIS' communication lines between Syria and Iraq have been 'cut off.'