The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Tikrit Continues

New York Times: Iraqi Forces Seize Large Parts of Tikrit From Islamic State Militants

BAGHDAD — Iraqi security forces and allied Shiite militias seized large parts of Tikrit on Tuesday, amid reports that most of the Islamic State militants battling to hold the city had begun retreating, security officials said.

The progress came after a week of heavy fighting to retake Tikrit, a city in the so-called Sunni Triangle that holds both strategic and emotional importance in the effort to roll back the Islamic State’s lightning advance toward Baghdad in June.

WNU Editor: The Islamic State is fighting back .... IS jihadists in Iraq blow up key Tikrit bridge (AFP), and they are preparing for their last stand .... ISIS Prepare to Make Last Stand as Iraqi Forces Close in on Tikrit (Newsweek).

More News On The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Tikrit

Iraqi forces say they've begun final push to retake Tikrit -- CNN
Iraq retakes strategic town -- Reuters
Iraq seizes town on outskirts of Islamic State-held Tikrit -- AP
Iraqi Forces Retake Parts of Tikrit -- WSJ
Iraqi Forces Advance Toward Tikrit -- VOA
Iraqi troops take step forward in bid to re-seize Tikrit -- Deutsche Welle
Iraq troops 'retake parts of Tikrit' from Islamic State -- BBC
Iraqi, Shiite Forces Gain Ground in Tikrit Against ISIL -- Sputnik
Iraqi army, volunteer forces enter Tikrit from multiple directions -- Press TV
Mayor hopes reclaimed Iraqi town can become springboard for Tikrit offensive -- FOX News
Tikrit: What’s next? -- Osama Al Sharif, Arab News
Why the Fight Against ISIS Has to Go Through the Cities -- Mark Thompson, Time
Analysis: Iraqi Forces Tighten the Noose on Tikrit -- Stratfor

Update: The following post illustrates the massive Iranian involvement in the battle for Tikrit .... In pictures: Shiite militias operating near Tikrit (Threat Matrix).