Iranian-backed Shiite militias in
Iraq are no longer leading an operation to recapture Tikrit from
Islamic State (ISIS) militants, a US general said Thursday.
Gen Lloyd Austin, head of US Central Command, said the
Shia pullback was a precondition for US-led air strikes, which
began on Wednesday night.
Iraqi forces then launched a final push to drive ISIS from
the city.
Iraq had asked the US-led coalition to mount air strikes
on militants in Tikrit after the offensive stalled.
Gen Austin told the US Senate Armed Services Committee
about 4,000 Iraqi army and federal police personnel were now
carrying out "clearing operations" in Tikrit, the birthplace of
Saddam Hussein.
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