Footage shows Iraqi armed forces firing over defensive positions

(7 Jul 2014) Iraqi troops were filmed near the town of Beiji on Monday firing guns and rocket-propelled grenades towards what are said to be Islamic State (IS) militant group positions. The video was filmed by freelance cameraman who was given permission to travel with the troops. The Associated Press could not independently verify the troops' target which lay behind a series of earth defences. However, local media reported clashes between government troops and IS group near Beiji on Monday. The town is 155 miles (250 kilometres) north of the capital, Baghdad, and on the outskirts of Tikrit, the hometown of former president Saddam Hussein. Sunni militants, including fighters from the IS group, captured the city last month. 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...