Iraqi army sends in 30,000 troops in a bid to get Tikrit back from IS control

Some 30,000 Iraqi troops and militia backed by aircraft pounded jihadist positions in and around Tikrit on Monday in the biggest offensive yet to retake one of the Islamic State group’s main strongholds. Government forces have been working their way north in recent months, notching up key victories against IS but Tikrit, which has resisted them several times, is their toughest target yet. Building on recent successes, commanders voiced hope that the broadest operation since IS overran swathes of the country last June would be a step towards the liberation of Mosul, the jihadists’ main hub in Iraq.

Security forces are advancing on three main fronts towards Tikrit, Ad-Dawr (to the south) and Al-Alam (to the north)

A senior Iraqi army spokesman

The operation began in early morning after being announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the previous evening. The army officer said the forces involved in the battle were from the army, police, counter-terrorism units, a government-controlled volunteer group known as the Popular Mobilisation units and local Sunni tribes opposed to IS. Military sources said Iraqi warplanes were involved but it was not immediately clear whether foreign air support - Iranian or from the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS - was also called in.

I call on all those who were misled and made mistakes in the past to lay down their arms today. This may be the last chance.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hints at amnesty for those who surrender

Middle East Tikrit