Iraqi Security Forces Recapture Tikrit From Islamic State

Largest victory yet against militant group

Iraq’s security forces have recaptured the city of Tikrit, Iraqi state media reported Tuesday, in what would be the largest victory yet against Islamic State insurgents since the Sunni extremist group seized swaths of the country last summer.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the recapture of the city in a speech on state television. Several semiofficial Shiite militias, known as public mobilization units, confirmed the news on their own television channels.

Shortly after the initial announcement, the prime minister’s spokesman told state television that Iraqi forces had reached the center of the city and raised the Iraqi flag on the provincial headquarters as troops continued to clear the city of insurgents.

“The successful experience of Tikrit will be repeated in other areas,” said Mr. Abadi, who lauded the security forces’ “protection of civilians and the few casualties among security forces.”

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