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                 Iraqi Forces Press Offensive to Retake Tikrit

   by VOA News

   Iraqi security forces on Friday pressed on with their massive offensive
   to retake Tikrit, where fighters from the Islamic State group are
   besieged and have reportedly begun to lose ground.

   ''Baghdad officials continue to express confidence they will soon
   completely retake the city, which has strategic and symbolic value as
   the hometown of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

   As many as 30,000 Iraqi troops and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia
   members have surrounded the city and have retaken several areas, though
   it remains unclear how far the forces have advanced.

   The offensive, now in its second week, has been slowed by snipers and
   booby traps set by Islamic State fighters. But Defense Minister Khaled
   al-Obeidi said the operation soon could enter a crucial phase.

   "We are very keen for our losses to be as low as possible," the
   minister told reporters Thursday. "Time is on our side. We have the
   initiative."

   Tikrit lies about 130 kilometers or 80 miles northwest of Baghdad.
   Capturing it would give a geographic advantage to the government before
   an anticipated offensive against militants in Mosul in the coming
   months.

   A U.S.-led coalition is conducting airstrikes against the extremist
   group that overran parts of Iraq and Syria in the past year, but the
   coalition has stayed out of the battle for Tikrit.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/iraqi-forces-continue-offensive-to-re
   take-tikrit/2678669.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iraqi-forces-continue-offensive-to-retake-tikrit/2678669.html