article_snippet: A massive operation involving 30,000 members of the Iraqi military is succeeding in forcing Islamic State militants to withdraw from the strategic city of Tikrit, army generals have claimed.
article_snippet: Iraqi government forces and allied militias fire weapons as Iraqi government forces and allied militias fire weapons as they take part in an assault to retake the strategic city of Tikrit from jihadists loyal to the Islamic State take part in an assault to retake the strategic city of Tikrit from jihadists loyal to the Islamic State .
article_snippet: Race to survive: Volunteer fighters carry an injured man as Volunteer fighters launch an operation against ISIS in Liberating Tikrit .
article_snippet: officials in northern Iraq say troops are shelling militant bases inside the ISIS-held city but officials in northern Iraq advance has been slowed by roadside bombs.
article_snippet: Blast: Iraqi security forces fire artillery during clashes with Islamic State militants yesterday afternoon .
article_snippet: Iraqi Army and volunteer fighters move in to position in Saladin Governorate before an operation against ISIS' .
article_snippet: Iraqi warplanes and artillery began pounding Tikrit yesterday as 30,000 troops and irregulars prepared to attack Baghdad.
article_snippet: an operation against ISIS was announced on Sunday by Iraq's prime minister, who urged soldiers and government-backed Shi'ite militias to spare civilians.
article_snippet: On the southern flank of the offensive, army and police officials said government forces moving north from the city of Samarra could launch an attack on al-Dour later on Tuesday.
article_snippet: Armoured vehicles belonging to the Iraqi Army are seen in formation before an assault of ISIS targets .
article_snippet: Battlefield: Members of the Iraqi Army fire heavy weapons at ISIS militants near Tikrit yesterday afternoon .
article_snippet: Iraqi soldiers gesture towards the camera before yesterday's attack on Islamic State targets near Tikrit .
article_snippet: IS declared a 'caliphate' last June straddling Iraq and Syria, where the US-led coalition has also been conducting air strikes but not coordinating with any significant ground force.
highlights_snippet: 30,000 members of the Iraqi military are attacking ISIS targets in Tikrit .
  
highlights_snippet: Local officials claim jihadis are already starting to abandon Local officials bases .
  