Sunday, June 29, 2014

Contradicting Claims From Baghdad, Tikrit Sunni Rebels 'Push Back Iraq Army'

BBC

Militants Repel Iraqi Forces’ Attempt To Recapture Tikrit -- Washington Post

BAGHDAD — Heavy shelling shook the militant stronghold of Tikrit on Sunday as Iraqi security forces attempted to recapture the town in an operation that marks a major test for the military as it tries to gain the upper hand against insurgents.

Ground forces backed by helicopter gunships launched a three-pronged pre-dawn attack Saturday, but residents and a tribal leader said militants from an al-Qaeda breakaway group had repelled the troops’ advance, rigging roads into Tikrit with explosives.

Residents said insurgents from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), who have been assisted by local anti-government groups, were still in control of the town center Sunday, despite state television claims that Iraqi forces had cleared Tikrit of militants.

Read more ....

More News On The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Tikrit

Iraqi Forces Stalled in Push Against Militants, Say Officials -- Wall Street Journal
Iraqi forces reportedly pull back from Tikrit amid fierce fighting with ISIS militants -- FOX News
Fresh clashes over Tikrit -- BBC
Iraq battles Sunni militants as government tries to retake northern city of Tikrit -- AP
Tikrit battle continues as Iraq attempts to recapture town from ISIL -- Euronews
Iraq crisis: Iran pledges military help against Isis as battle for Tikrit escalates -- The Telegraph
Battle rages on for Iraq's Tikrit -- Deutsche Welle
Iraq strikes back with helicopter gunship attack on ISIS positions in Tikrit as Prime Minister Maliki says hundreds of soldiers have died in uprising -- Daily Mail

My Comment: The Iraq government has been claiming for the past two days that they have recaptured Tikrit .... but they have shown no footage of their troops in Tikrit. That in itself tells me that their offensive has either failed .... or they are now in a stalemate position.

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