“The security forces boosted with military aircrafts continue to advance towards the center of the city of Tikrit (10 km away from the center of the city) after they clashed with the so-called ISIL terrorists,” the media reports said, noting that the army jets carried out precise airstrikes against ISIL posts.
Security forces were also able to clean the Tikrit-Samarra road from roadside bombs planted by the Takfiri organization terrorists.
The Iraqi forces have launched a major offensive to retake the town on Saturday.
The first images of the battle for Tikrit have been released by the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Al-Manar reported.
Iraqi pilots flew 25 Russian fighter jets for the first time, according to state television, and another batch arrived to help fight the insurgency.