Offensive operations resume in Tikrit after U.S. airstrikes

Offensive operations to retake Tikrit resumed early Friday morning after days of U.S. airstrikes weakened the Islamic State’s hold on the city.

The Iraqi Security Forces and popular mobilization forces made up of both Sunni and Shia fighters are beginning to move into Tikrit to clear out the “hundreds” of Islamic State terrorists who have held the city for weeks, said Col. Steve Warren, Pentagon spokesman.

“The airstrikes have been effective simply because we know that as of this morning, offensive operations have resumed,” Col. Warren said. “They’ve loosened up the enemy defenses enough that friendly forces can now begin to maneuver.”

Iraqi forces have encircled the terrorist-held city in Iraq for weeks, but have been stalled and unable to move forward in entering and re-taking the city. The U.S. began surveillance flights over Tikrit at the request of the Iraqi government earlier this week. Coalition airstrikes, including by the U.S., began on Wednesday night.

Col. Warren said Iranian-backed Shia militias are “completely sidelined” in the fight, though it’s impossible to know for sure that there are no Iranian-backed Shias in the large popular mobilization forces. The removal of Iranian-backed Shia militias means all forces on the battlefield report to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, he said.

“Their departure from the battlefield is welcome,” he said.

When asked if the departure of Iranian-supported Shia militiamen could actually hurt the chances for success since it reduces the number of forces fighting against the Islamic State, Col. Warren acknowledged that it could make it more difficult.

“That said, there is enough combat power there who are loyal to the Ministry of Defense we believe to get the job done,” he said.

Col. Warren declined to provide a timeline of the operation in Tikrt, warning that the process of overtaking the city would be long and difficult.

“Urban warfare is difficult, it is rough, hot, bloody, tiring, exhaustive work. So no one should expect this to be an overnight there. This is a hard fight that the Iraqis are going to have to go through,” he said.

American airstrikes in Tikrit are continuing, with three strikes Friday morning against a tactical unit and some vehicles, Col. Warren said.