article_snippet: The operation in the birthplace of former dictator Saddam Hussein was announced last night by Iraq's prime minister, who urged soldiers and government-backed Shiite militias to spare civilians.
article_snippet: Speaking from Samarra, the other main city in Salaheddin province, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to be addressing fears of reprisals against the Tikrit area's mainly Sunni population.
article_snippet: On social media, Mr Abadi called 'for utmost care in protecting civilian lives and property' in the city, which was last year the scene of a brutal massacre of hundreds of mainly Shiite Iraqi army recruits.
article_snippet: The priority we gave to the armed forces and all the forces taking part alongside them is to preserve the security of citizens,' Mr Abadi said last night.
article_snippet: Mr Abadi appealed to residents to turn against the jihadists, who have suffered a string of military losses since a U.S.-led coalition of Western and Arab nations stepped up a U.S.-led coalition of Western and Arab nations support for Iraq's embattled government. '
article_snippet: I call on all those who were misled and made mistakes in the past to lay down a U.S.-led coalition of Western and Arab nations arms today.
article_snippet: This may be the last chance,' Mr Abadi said, suggesting some could be granted amnesty.
highlights_snippet: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi calls on troops to spare civilians .
  