Iraqi forces seize part of Tikrit amid clashes with IS

(11 Mar 2015) Iraqi soldiers and Shiite militiamen entered the city of Tikrit on Wednesday, an official and a witness said, a key test for Iraqi forces in their battle against the Islamic State (IS) group. The local official in Iraq's Salaheddin province said allied Iraqi forces entered the city held by IS through its northern Qadisiyya neighbourhood. He spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to brief journalists. A video obtained from a freelance cameraman showed troops and militiamen marching alongside Humvees. The sound of explosions could be heard, followed by smoke rising in the sky. Tikrit, the capital of Salahuddin province, lies about 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of Baghdad. It is one of the largest cities held by IS and lies on the road connecting Baghdad to Mosul. Retaking it will give Iraqi forces a major supply link to retake Mosul. The US says its allied coalition has not been involved in the Tikrit offensive. The IS group holds about a third of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in its self-declared caliphate. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...