Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces ‘push into Tikrit’

Iranian-backed Shia militiamen are leading the offensive against Islamic State in Tikrit

Iraqi government forces are advancing into Tikrit on several fronts, forcing Islamic State militants to fall back to the centre of the city, officials say.

Troops have reportedly taken the Industrial Zone and Celebrations Square near the city centre, after seizing the Qadisiya area further north.

They also now hold the Teaching Hospital and New Ouja in the south, and al-Diyum and al-Hayakil in the west.

Up to 30,000 personnel are involved in the operation, now in its 11th day.

It is the biggest offensive against Islamic State (IS) mounted by Iraq’s government since the jihadist group captured large parts of the country last June.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey, said on Wednesday he was certain the operation was going to succeed, despite the fact that US-led coalition air power was not being used.

But with Iranian-backed Shia militia leading the fight for Tikrit and the Iranian military helping to co-ordinate it, he voiced concerns about what would happen to the city’s Sunni population when the fighting was over.

Meanwhile, the BBC has seen video evidence that IS militants are using chlorine gas as a weapon on the battlefield in Tikrit.

The Iraqi government said small amounts of the chemical were being used in crude roadside bombs targeting its forces.

BBC