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Iraq suicide attacks: Ambulances used in Tikrit and Samarra Iraq suicide attacks: Ambulances used in Tikrit and Samarra
(35 minutes later)
Suicide bombers using explosives-laden ambulances have killed at least 21 people in two Iraqi cities. Suicide bombers have used explosives-laden ambulances to kill at least 21 people and wound many others in the Iraqi cities of Tikrit and Samarra.
The attacks happened in Tikrit and Samarra, where Shia pilgrims, some of them Iranian, were targeted. The so-called Islamic State (IS) group said it had carried out both attacks.
The so-called Islamic State (IS) says it carried out both attacks. The attack in the holy city of Samarra targeted Shia pilgrims, including Iranians. A queue of vehicles waiting to enter Tikrit was also hit.
The deadly blasts come as government forces continue their offensive to take back the northern city of Mosul from IS. The blasts come as government forces continue their offensive to take back the northern city of Mosul from IS.
They are facing fierce resistance as they push through the city's eastern and southern suburbs, blocked by concrete barricades and snipers on rooftops.They are facing fierce resistance as they push through the city's eastern and southern suburbs, blocked by concrete barricades and snipers on rooftops.
Slow progressSlow progress
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 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. The blast was so huge it blew some victims into a nearby river.
In Samarra, further south, another ambulance was detonated in a car park for the al-Askari mosque - one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam. Iranian pilgrims were among the dead.
The number of dead and wounded at both attacks varies between reports.The number of dead and wounded at both attacks varies between reports.
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 of Mosul 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.
More on this storyMore on this story
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.