Iraq begins operation to recapture Tikrit

Iraqi security forces have begun a large-scale operation to retake Tikrit from the Islamic State group – a major step in a campaign to reclaim a vast swathe of territory in northern Iraq controlled by the militants
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AREAS OF CONTROL (as of Feb 25, 2015)

Islamic State (IS) militant group

Kurdish peshmerga

Iraqi security forces, includingarmy and police and Shia militia

Kurdistan regional government

Detail area

Baghdad

IRAQ

300km 200 miles

TURKEY

SYRIA

AL ANBAR

Fishkhabur

Dohuk

Sinjar

Mosul

NINAWA

River Tigris

Hawija

River Euphrates

Irbil

Sulaymaniyah

Kirkuk

AL TAMIM

SALAH AD DIN

IRAQ

IRAN

Jalawla

DIYALA

100km 60 miles

Tikrit: Hometown of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was seized by IS forces in June 2014. Iraqi government forces said to be attacking city on three fronts, backed by airstrikes and thousands of Shia and Sunni militia
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Sources: Stratfor, wire agencies

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