Iran-led
coalition of nearly 30,000 Shia militia fighters and Iraqi security forces
under the command of Quds Force Commander General Qasem Soleimani continued its
deliberate advance into the two towns of al-Alam and al-Dour on the edge of
Tikrit. Reuters reported today that the offensive was slowed by fierce defense
from Islamic State insurgents.
ISF and
the militia entered the southern and eastern parts of al-Dour on Friday but
could not recapture the town completely. Recapturing of the two towns has been
the immediate goal of the coalition, which would use them as staging areas to
advance into Tikrit. The offensive is the largest ground attack against ISIL forces
since the insurgents advanced into northern Iraq last June.
Photo credit: Shia militia and ISF fighters in al-Hadidiya, south of Tikrit, en route to al-Alam; 7 March 2015 (Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)
Map depicting approximation of forces for 08MAR15, Battle of Tikrit
[source: Peto Lucem]
Photo credit: Shia militia and ISF fighters in al-Hadidiya, south of Tikrit, en route to al-Alam; 7 March 2015 (Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)
