The Battle For Tikrit Resumes

Wall Street Journal: Iraq Resumes Offensive in Tikrit After U.S. Airstrikes

Iraqi troops move in as Iran-backed Shiite militiamen withdraw in fight to dislodge Islamic State from Tikrit

WASHINGTON—After two days of U.S. airstrikes, the stalled Iraqi offensive to rout Islamic State fighters from Tikrit has resumed, the Pentagon said Friday.

As Iran-backed Shiite militiamen withdrew from the fight, thousands of Iraqi government forces sought to capitalize on the new American airstrikes to dislodge hundreds of Islamic State fighters hunkered down in the city center.

The push is the first by Iraqi forces into Tirkit since U.S. planes started hitting Islamic State positions on Wednesday. The U.S.-led coalition has carried out 20 airstrikes on Islamic State forces in and around Tikrit, officials said Friday.

More News On The Battle For Tikrit

Offensive operations resume in Tikrit after U.S. airstrikes -- Washington Times
U.S.-led coalition launches 17 airstrikes on ISIS targets around Tikrit -- CNN
U.S. Keeps Striking Tikrit as Pentagon Predicts Extended Fight -- Bloomberg
Iraq paramilitaries decide Tikrit pullback: commanders -- AFP
Iraq Sidelines Iran-Backed Militias -- WSJ
Tikrit Offensive: Iranian General Steps Out, U.S. Steps In -- ABC News
Hard-line Shiite militias quit Tikrit campaign over US airstrikes -- Rudaw
With Aid of Airstrikes, Iraqi Forces Ring Tikrit, Pentagon Says -- VOA
Iraqi Forces Advance On Central Tikrit -- Radio Free Europe
Intel official: Iran ‘pissed’ at Iraq for joining with US in Tikrit fight -- FOX News
Iraq reverses decision on Tikrit air support -- Jeremy Binnie, IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
Final battle for Tikrit: ‘We won’t let the Americans take the glory’ -- Martin Chulov, The Guardian
What’s at Stake in Tikrit -- Noah Gordon, Defense One/ The Atlantic