Photo Gallery Taking Back Tikrit
Islamic State is facing pressure in Iraq at the hands of Shiite militias, many of them armed by Iran. Already, the city and Tikrit has been wrested from jihadist control as have many other towns and villages. Here, Shiite fighters en route to a staging ground in preparation for an offensive earlier this month.
A member of Iraqi security forces displays an Islamic State flag which they pulled down in the Iraqi town of al-Alam.
Shiite fighters launching a rocket during the battle for al-Alam on March 8. In some places, Islamic State has chosen not to fight, preferring instead to preserve resources.
Smoke rising following clashes between Shiite militias and Islamic State in Tikrit. The city used to have a quarter of a million residents, but after having been under the control of Islamic State, it is now largely a ghost town.
Fighting in the Qadisiyah neighborhood of Tikrit on March 12. The operation was the largest to date against IS.
Despite the victory of Shiite militias, fighting together with the Iraqi army, over Islamic State in Tikrit, it is too early to say that it is the beginning of the end for the jihadist group.
The Iraqi Shiite militant group called Imam Ali Brigades review the battle plan at the front line with the Islamic State group in Tikrit on March 14. Shiite militias led the battle for Tikrit because of the weakness of the Iraqi army.
A Shiite militia group launches a rocket at an Islamic State position in Tikrit. With support for such militias coming from Iran, their successes in the battle against Islamic State is a double-edged sword for Baghdad and its Western supporters.
