Victory for Iraqi troops as they recapture Tikrit from IS fighters

IRAQ declared yesterday that it had recaptured Tikrit from Islamic State, a key step in driving the militants out of their strongholds.

Defence minister Khalid al-Obeidi said security forces have ‘accomplished their mission’ in their month-long offensive to rid Saddam Hussein’s hometown and Salahuddin province of the extremists.

‘We have the pleasure, with all our pride, to announce the good news of a magnificent victory,’ he said.

Naming other provinces under the sway of the extremists, Mr Obeidi said: ‘Here we come to you, Anbar! Here we come to you, Nineveh, and we say it with full resolution, confidence, and persistence.’

IS fighters seized Tikrit last summer during their advance across northern and western Iraq. Recapturing Tikrit is seen as vital in eventually driving the militants out of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city and the provincial capital of Nineveh. Tikrit is 80 miles north of Baghdad and lies on the road connecting the capital to Mosul.

Iraqi forces, including soldiers, police officers, Shia militias and Sunni tribesmen, launched a large-scale operation to recapture Tikrit on March 2. Last week, the US launched airstrikes on the city at the request of the Iraqi government.

Earlier yesterday, Iraqi security forces fired on snipers in Tikrit and searched homes for remaining militants. Militant mortar fire, which had been intense over previous days, fell silent.