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Islamic State: Iraqi troops, militia greeted with celebrations after retaking strategic town of al-Alam near Tikrit
3/11/2015
Islamic State: Iraqi troops, militia greeted with celebrations after retaking strategic town of al-Alam near Tikrit
Iraqi troops and militia fighters have been welcomed with jubilant celebrations after retaking the town of al-Alam from Islamic State (IS) group militants. Local mayor Laith al-Jubouri announced officially that the town was under the total control of security forces, the Shiite militias known as Hashid Shaabi units and local tribal fighters. We rejoice in this victory and we want al-Alam to be the launchpad for the liberation of Tikrit and Mosul," he said. A Reuters photographer saw dozens of families, who earlier fled al-Alam to escape IS control, return to the town, celebrating and slaughtering sheep for the victorious fighters. Residents were filmed waving white flags and greeting soldiers with hugs, ululations and sweets. The Iraqi army and militias now control the two towns to the north and south of Tikrit, along the Tigris river valley and appear ready to move on the city itself.
Tikrit, the home city of executed former president Saddam Hussein, is the focus of a major counter-offensive against the IS group.
The insurgents seized the city and much of northern Iraq last June before declaring a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq.
Security officials said the assault on Tikrit could start as early as Wednesday. An attack on Mosul is expected later this year.
IS fighters have gradually lost ground in Iraq to the army and local forces backed by air strikes carried out by a US-led coalition of Western and allied Arab states.
The US said Baghdad did not seek aerial backup from the coalition in the Tikrit campaign.
Support on the ground has come from neighbouring Iran, which backs the Shiite militias and has sent an elite Revolutionary Guard commander to oversee part of the battle.
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3/11/2015
Islamic State: Iraqi troops, militia greeted with celebrations after retaking strategic town of al-Alam near Tikrit
Iraqi troops and militia fighters have been welcomed with jubilant celebrations after retaking the town of al-Alam from Islamic State (IS) group militants. Local mayor Laith al-Jubouri announced officially that the town was under the total control of security forces, the Shiite militias known as Hashid Shaabi units and local tribal fighters. We rejoice in this victory and we want al-Alam to be the launchpad for the liberation of Tikrit and Mosul," he said. A Reuters photographer saw dozens of families, who earlier fled al-Alam to escape IS control, return to the town, celebrating and slaughtering sheep for the victorious fighters. Residents were filmed waving white flags and greeting soldiers with hugs, ululations and sweets. The Iraqi army and militias now control the two towns to the north and south of Tikrit, along the Tigris river valley and appear ready to move on the city itself.
Tikrit, the home city of executed former president Saddam Hussein, is the focus of a major counter-offensive against the IS group.
The insurgents seized the city and much of northern Iraq last June before declaring a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq.
Security officials said the assault on Tikrit could start as early as Wednesday. An attack on Mosul is expected later this year.
IS fighters have gradually lost ground in Iraq to the army and local forces backed by air strikes carried out by a US-led coalition of Western and allied Arab states.
The US said Baghdad did not seek aerial backup from the coalition in the Tikrit campaign.
Support on the ground has come from neighbouring Iran, which backs the Shiite militias and has sent an elite Revolutionary Guard commander to oversee part of the battle.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
