Iraq declares victory over ISIL extremists in Tikrit
The Iraqi government declared victory in Tikrit Wednesday over ISIL extremists and warned the militants holding other Iraqi provinces they would be the next to fall.
Prime Minister Haider al- Abadi walked triumphantly along a street in Tikrit, carrying an Iraqi flag and surrounded by jubilant forces.
Across the border in Syria, however, ISIL fighters made their deepest foray yet into the capital, Damascus, by infiltrating a Palestinian refugee camp.
Iraq’s victory in Tikrit is seen as a key step toward driving ISIL out of Mosul, Iraq’s second- largest city and the Nineveh provincial capital.
Defence Minister Khalid al-Obeidi announced the victory, saying security forces have “accomplished their mission” in the month- long offensive to rid Saddam Hussein’s hometown and Salahuddin province of ISIL fighters.
“We have the pleasure, with all our pride, to announce the good news of a magnificent victory,” he said in a video statement.
“Here we come to you, Anbar! Here we come to you, Nineveh,” he added, naming the provinces still held by ISIL.
The extremists seized the city last summer during their advance from Syria into northern and western Iraq.
Iraqi forces, including soldiers, police officers, Shiite militias and Sunni tribes, started a large- scale operation to recapture Tikrit at the beginning of March. Last week, the U. S. launched air strikes at the request of the Iraqi government.
Recapturing Tikrit is the biggest win so far for Baghdad’s Shiite- led government. The city is about 130 kilometres north of Baghdad on the road connecting the capital to Mosul. Retaking it gives Iraqi forces a major supply link for operations in the north.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the victory was compelling evidence the U. S. strategy against ISIL was working.
“What is clear is that over the last five days, this strategy of backing up Iraqi security forces that are multi- sectarian in nature with coalition air strikes is a pretty powerful combination,” he said.
Earlier Wednesday, Iraqi security forces fired on snipers and searched homes for remaining fighters.
Soldiers fanned out from the charred, skeletal remains of the Salahuddin provincial government complex, captured Tuesday.
ISIL mortar fire, which had been intense in previous days, fell silent, with commanders saying only a few snipers remained.