BREAKING NEWS

Iraqi troops, militia enter strategic town near Tikrit

By REUTERS

MARCH 10, 2015 11:37

Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite militia took the centre of a town on the northern edge of Tikrit from Islamic State on Tuesday as they closed in on Saddam Hussein's home city.

Al-Alam is the last Islamic State stronghold that needs to be cleared before government forces and militiamen can enter the city of Tikrit itself, which has been under militant control since last summer.

Military commanders said Islamic State militants were still holding out in houses in the northern section of al-Alam, but the army and mainly Shi'ite militia had retaken the town centre and were preparing for street fighting to seize the rest.

"Snipers and booby traps are slowing our advance to completely control all parts of the town," said army captain Wisam Ibrahim, speaking from al-Alam.

"We're waiting for the army helicopters to secure the way for a smooth advance for the troops," he said.

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