Iraqi soldiers backed by tanks and helicopter gunships launched an attack against a northern town held by Sunni militants Saturday, in its biggest push yet to wrest back ground lost to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.
The offensive began before dawn with airstrikes against ISIS fighters who were attacking troops on Tikrit’s northern outskirts. It is unclear how far the army made it into Tikrit: Military officials said troops made it into the city, but residents told the Associated Press ISIS fighters are still in control. Other fighting south of Baghdad killed 21 troops and dozens of militants.
Sign up for breaking news alerts from NBC News
IN-DEPTH
U.S. Military Deploys Drones to Patrol Baghdad
Insurgents Tighten Hold in Northern, Western Iraq
