Iraq Crisis: Iraqi Forces Say Tikrit Regained From ISIS Militants -- CNN
Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi security forces retook the city of Tikrit on Saturday, a local tribal leader and state media said, as they went on the offensive against the Sunni extremist militants who have seized swaths of northern and western Iraq.
Sheikh Khamis al-Joubouri, a key tribal leader in Tikrit, told CNN that the Iraqi security forces entered the city supported by special forces and fighters from among the local tribes, and had gained control.
He said that fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) retreated in the direction of Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces.
However, amid claim and counter-claim, a combatant told a CNN freelance reporter that ISIS fighters remained in control of Tikrit, but that there are fierce clashes in an area about 20 kilometers from the city center, toward Samarra.
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More News On The Iraqi Army Launching An Offensive To Retake Tikrit
Iraq reports major effort to recapture Tikrit -- Washington Post
Iraq crisis: Helicopter strikes on Tikrit rebels -- BBC
Iraqi forces launch attacks on Tikrit -- The Guardian
Iraqi government makes push to retake Tikrit from Islamists -- Haaretz/AP
Iraqi troops on offensive against Sunni militants -- USA Today
Iraq army launches offensive to retake Tikrit -- Al Jazeera
Iraq troops advance on Tikrit in biggest fightback yet -- AFP
My Comment: Even if the Iraqi military succeeds .... holding Tikrit is going to be an even greater challenge.