Iraq Army begins major offensive to recapture Tikrit

Tikrit (IraqiNews.com) A key member of Iraq’s Salaheddin provincial council says Iraqi army ground forces launched a massive attack on the ISIL militant stronghold of Tikrit on Monday, marking a major test for the army to clear the area from terrorist groups within next two days.

The deputy head of the council, Al-Khazraji said that Iraqi army has repelled a massive ISIL counter-attack to Tikrit’s main military base of city and the Iraqi Army is advancing on the northern part of the city.

The recapture of Tikrit, about 90 miles north of Baghdad and the home town of ousted president Saddam Hussein, would give a boost to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as he struggles to stand against a nearly one-month offensive by extremist militants from ISIL terrorist group.

Al-Khazraji said the main reason behind the slow advances of the army is only about civilians trapped among terrorist groups’ seizure and are facing real danger of being killed in any probable assault by the army troops.

He said at least 20 percent of Tikrit civilians have not left their homes.

ISIL militants captured Tikrit last month.