Tikrit offensive stalled by ISIS bombs
Iraq's huge offensive to retake Tikrit from ISIS is being stalled by bombs planted by the jihadis holding out in the city, a militia spokesman said Tuesday, AFP reported.
"The battle to retake Tikrit will be difficult because of the preparations (ISIS) made," said Jawwad al-Etlebawi, spokesman for the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite militia that is playing a major role in the operation alongside the regular army.
"They planted bombs on all the streets, buildings, bridges, everything. For this reason, our forces were stopped by these defensive preparations," Etlebawi told AFP.
"We need forces trained in urban warfare to break in," he said, adding that the jihadis are surrounded, "but any besieged person fights fiercely."
The operation to recapture Tikrit, the capital of Salahuddin province, began on March 2.