U.S. Led Coalition Launches Air Strikes On Islamic State Targets Around Tikrit (Update)

Reuters: Coalition, Iraqi planes target IS militants in Tikrit presidential compound

(Reuters) - Coalition and Iraqi planes struck a sprawling complex of palaces in the city of Tikrit on Thursday where Islamic State militants have been holding out for more than three weeks.

U.S.-led coalition planes launched their first air strikes against Islamic State targets in Saddam Hussein's home city on Wednesday, coming off the sidelines to aid Iraqi forces fighting alongside Iran-backed Shi'ite militia on the ground.

The decision to provide air support for the Tikrit campaign draws the United States into a messy battle that puts the coalition, however reluctantly, on the same side of a fight as Iranian-backed militia.

WNU Editor: Apparently a condition for these air strikes was the withdrawal of Shiite militias .... Top General: Iran-Backed Shiite Militia Not in Tikrit Fight (ABC News/AP)

More News On U.S. Air Strikes Targeting Islamic State Positions In Tikrit

U.S.-led coalition launches 17 airstrikes on ISIS targets around Tikrit -- CNN
U.S. assists Iran, launches airstrikes in Tikrit to bolster Shiites -- Washington Times
U.S. Airpower Joins Iran-Backed Offensive in Iraq’s Tikrit -- Bloomberg
France Conducts First Bombing Against Islamic State in Tikrit -- Sputnik
US begins airstrikes against Islamic State in Tikrit, supports Shiite militias -- Long War Journal
U.S. strikes bolster Iraqi offensive in Tikrit -- USA Today
U.S. ruled out Shi'ite militias before joining Tikrit strikes: U.S. general -- Reuters
Top General: Iran-Backed Shiite Militia Not in Tikrit Fight -- ABC News/AP
Iraqi Shiite militias 'pulled back' from Tikrit: US -- AFP
Iraq crisis: Tikrit push 'no longer led by Shia militias' -- BBC
After US airstrikes, Iraq troops start final push for Tikrit -- Washington Post/AP
Iraq troops launch final phase of Tikrit push, France bombs ISIS -- Al Arabiya
Air strikes trigger final push on Iraq's Tikrit -- AFP
U.S. airstrikes usher "final" offensive for Tikrit -- CBS/AP
Iraqi forces gather for push into Tikrit after U.S. airstrikes seek to clear path -- Washington Post