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Iraq suicide attacks: Ambulances used in Tikrit and Samarra Iraq suicide attacks: Ambulances used in Tikrit and Samarra
(about 2 hours later)
Suicide bombers using explosives-laden ambulances have killed at least 21 people in two Iraqi cities.Suicide bombers using explosives-laden ambulances have killed at least 21 people in two Iraqi cities.
The attacks happened in Tikrit and Samarra, where Shia pilgrims, some of them Iranian, were targeted.The attacks happened in Tikrit and Samarra, where Shia pilgrims, some of them Iranian, were targeted.
The deadly blasts come as government forces continue their offensive to take back the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS). The so-called Islamic State (IS) says it carried out both attacks.
They are facing fierce resistance as they push through the city's eastern and southern suburbs. The deadly blasts come as government forces continue their offensive to take back the northern city of Mosul from IS.
Satellite images have revealed multiple concrete barricades placed by IS fighters across key routes into the city. They are facing fierce resistance as they push through the city's eastern and southern suburbs, blocked by concrete barricades and snipers on rooftops.
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The deadliest of Sunday's blasts happened in the city of Tikrit, some 200km (123 miles) south of Mosul.The deadliest of Sunday's blasts happened in the city of Tikrit, some 200km (123 miles) south of Mosul.
A suicide bomber drove a booby-trapped ambulance into a line of vehicles queuing at a checkpoint at the southern entrance to the city, once the hometown of executed former leader Saddam Hussein.A suicide bomber drove a booby-trapped ambulance into a line of vehicles queuing at a checkpoint at the southern entrance to the city, once the hometown of executed former leader Saddam Hussein.
In Samarra, further south, another ambulance was detonated in a car park for Shia pilgrims attending the al-Askari mosque. Iranians were among the dead.In Samarra, further south, another ambulance was detonated in a car park for Shia pilgrims attending the al-Askari mosque. Iranians were among the dead.
No group has claimed the attacks. The number of dead and wounded at both attacks varies between reports.
But it is likely to be the work of IS, seeking to divert attention from the offensive in Mosul, says the BBC's World Service Middle East Editor Alan Johnston.
Iraq's special forces have secured a foothold in the eastern districts, but have moved only a kilometre since Friday.Iraq's special forces have secured a foothold in the eastern districts, but have moved only a kilometre since Friday.
Lt Col Muhanad al-Timimi said their progress had been slowed by the elaborate defences built by the militants, Associated Press reports. The presence of civilians in the built-up areas makes it difficult to get approval for air strikes, he also said.Lt Col Muhanad al-Timimi said their progress had been slowed by the elaborate defences built by the militants, Associated Press reports. The presence of civilians in the built-up areas makes it difficult to get approval for air strikes, he also said.
Troops exchanged sniper fire with IS fighters on residential rooftops, with both sides also firing mortar rounds on Saturday. The fiercest clashes were in the al-Bakr area.Troops exchanged sniper fire with IS fighters on residential rooftops, with both sides also firing mortar rounds on Saturday. The fiercest clashes were in the al-Bakr area.
Government troops also gained control of Hammam al-Alil, about 15 km (10 miles) south of Mosul on the Tigris river, despite fierce resistance.Government troops also gained control of Hammam al-Alil, about 15 km (10 miles) south of Mosul on the Tigris river, despite fierce resistance.
Lieutenant-General Raed Shakir Jawdat said security forces were in control of the centre of the town, but did not say whether IS militants had been pushed out completely.Lieutenant-General Raed Shakir Jawdat said security forces were in control of the centre of the town, but did not say whether IS militants had been pushed out completely.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, visiting the front line to the east of the city, said the government-led forces "will not retreat and will not be broken".Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, visiting the front line to the east of the city, said the government-led forces "will not retreat and will not be broken".
"My message to IS," he said, "if they want to save their lives they should lay down their weapons now.""My message to IS," he said, "if they want to save their lives they should lay down their weapons now."
Mosul fell to the jihadists in June 2014 and their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, chose a mosque in the city as a place to proclaim the establishment of a "caliphate".Mosul fell to the jihadists in June 2014 and their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, chose a mosque in the city as a place to proclaim the establishment of a "caliphate".
Before the offensive began on 17 October, there were believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 militants remaining in Mosul, along with up to 1.5 million civilians.Before the offensive began on 17 October, there were believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 militants remaining in Mosul, along with up to 1.5 million civilians.