U.S.-led airstrikes target ISIS militants in Tikrit

In an address Wednesday evening, Prime Minister al-Abadi predicted success in Tikrit.

“We have started the final phase of the operation in Tikrit,” he said. “You will liberate your ground, not anyone but you,” he said, speaking to the Iraqi people.

Iran has provided artillery and other weaponry for the Tikrit battle, and senior Iranian advisers have helped Iraq coordinate the offensive.

Recently, the offensive has lost momentum. Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said Wednesday the Iraqi forces have encircled Tikrit but not yet made significant inroads into the heavily defended city limits.

“They are stalled,” he said.

While the U.S. has been conducting strikes against ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq since August as part of a wider coalition, the U.S. has firmly said it is not coordinating any military actions with the Iranians.

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