Iraqi forces made advances over past 48 hours in advance to the city . Efforts began on March 2 and Iraq claims Tikrit is now ' liberated ' from ISIL . Has strategic and symbolic importance and was home to Saddam Hussein . Iraqi tricolour replaced the black ISIS flag on Provincial Iraqi flags .
Iraqi forces made advances over past 24 hours in operation to retake city . Efforts began on March 2 and Iraq claims Tikrit is now 'liberated ' from ISIS . Has strategic and symbolic importance and was home to Saddam Hussein . Iraqi tricolour replaced the black ISIS flag on Provincial government HQ .