Iraqi forces regain complete control of Baiji north Tikrit
BAGHDAD,(ST)_The Iraqi security forces have recaptured Baiji city from the ISIS and have reached al-Azim dam in Diyala province after several weeks of fighting, media sources said Friday.
The recapture is strategically important as Iraq’s largest oil refinery, capable of producing 300,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day, is located just outside of the city.
‘Iraqi forces were able to regain complete control of the town of Baiji, and are now pushing farther north,” Ahmad al-Krayim, the head of the Salaheddin provincial council said.
The city of Baiji lies 130 miles north of Baghdad.
The Beirut-based al-Mayadeen TV channel said that the victory was achieved after fierce fighting, supported by warplanes, on several axes.
It added that Iraqi security forces recaptured the strategic al-Azim dam in Diyala province from the ISIS.
20 ISIS terrorists killed
On the other hand, the Iraqi military and security forces foiled ISIS-linked terrorists’ attack of Tikrit University and killed 15 terrorists.
“The terrorists exploded a car bomb at the entry of the university before they started their attack,” the Iraqi Media Network quoted a security source as saying.
More five terrorists belonging to the ISIS [known as Daesh in Arabic] were eliminated north Tikrit, according to the Salaheddin operations’ leader.
Basma Qaddour