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| Iraqi forces 'hope to take Tikrit from IS in a week' | Iraqi forces 'hope to take Tikrit from IS in a week' |
| (2 days later) | |
| Iraqi forces hope to retake the city of Tikrit from Islamic State (IS) within a week, a commander has told the BBC. | Iraqi forces hope to retake the city of Tikrit from Islamic State (IS) within a week, a commander has told the BBC. |
| The head of one of the Shia militia brigades fighting alongside government forces said that IS militants still held about 70% of Tikrit's town centre. | The head of one of the Shia militia brigades fighting alongside government forces said that IS militants still held about 70% of Tikrit's town centre. |
| But he said Tikrit would be "liberated" even if it required street-to-street fighting. | But he said Tikrit would be "liberated" even if it required street-to-street fighting. |
| Soldiers and militiamen have reportedly retaken key sites including a police headquarters and a hospital. | Soldiers and militiamen have reportedly retaken key sites including a police headquarters and a hospital. |
| The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Tikrit says the sound of artillery and small arms fire can be heard only a few kilometres from the city centre. | The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Tikrit says the sound of artillery and small arms fire can be heard only a few kilometres from the city centre. |
| Muain al-Khmdy, a commander of the Iranian-backed Badr Brigade, told the BBC that pro-government forces would surround IS-held areas of the city and then attack, aiming to drive IS fighters from their positions. | Muain al-Khmdy, a commander of the Iranian-backed Badr Brigade, told the BBC that pro-government forces would surround IS-held areas of the city and then attack, aiming to drive IS fighters from their positions. |
| Several hundred militants are believed to be holding out in Tikrit, our correspondent says. | Several hundred militants are believed to be holding out in Tikrit, our correspondent says. |
| The pro-government force ranged against them includes about 3,000 Iraqi troops with 20,000 Shia militiamen and a much smaller force of Sunni tribesmen. | The pro-government force ranged against them includes about 3,000 Iraqi troops with 20,000 Shia militiamen and a much smaller force of Sunni tribesmen. |
| Earlier, Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled al-Obedi told the BBC that recapturing Tikrit could be a turning point in the battle against IS. | Earlier, Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled al-Obedi told the BBC that recapturing Tikrit could be a turning point in the battle against IS. |
| He described the city as a stepping stone to other IS-held territory, including Mosul - the country's second largest city. | He described the city as a stepping stone to other IS-held territory, including Mosul - the country's second largest city. |
| "The liberation of this city [Tikrit] and province will serve as a launch pad for reclaiming the north and the west of Iraq," he said. | "The liberation of this city [Tikrit] and province will serve as a launch pad for reclaiming the north and the west of Iraq," he said. |
| The BBC's Ahmed Maher in Tikrit says Iraqi troops are being held back from the centre by roadside bombs and booby-trapped cars. | The BBC's Ahmed Maher in Tikrit says Iraqi troops are being held back from the centre by roadside bombs and booby-trapped cars. |
| Tikrit was the hometown of ousted former leader Saddam Hussein. | Tikrit was the hometown of ousted former leader Saddam Hussein. |
| Anti-government Sunnis loyal to Saddam's Baath party collaborated with the militants when they overran a huge swathe of Iraq, including Tikrit, last June. | Anti-government Sunnis loyal to Saddam's Baath party collaborated with the militants when they overran a huge swathe of Iraq, including Tikrit, last June. |
| The large role of Iranian-backed Shia fighters in the battle for Tikrit has raised fears of reprisals against the mainly Sunni population. | The large role of Iranian-backed Shia fighters in the battle for Tikrit has raised fears of reprisals against the mainly Sunni population. |
| US officials are said to be concerned at reports that Shia militias have been setting fire to buildings as they advance. | US officials are said to be concerned at reports that Shia militias have been setting fire to buildings as they advance. |