(VOVworld) – Iraqi forces have recaptured Tikrit city from the self-proclaimed Islamic State with the support of Sunni and Shiite militiamen. Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi said Saturday that Iraqi security forces conducted a large offensive in Tikrit, the capital of Salahuddin province in northern Baghdad, involving artillery, tanks, fighter jets, militiamen, and volunteers.

Iraqi forces are pounding Islamic State positions as they try to encircle Tikrit. (Photo: Reuters)

Tikrit is one of IS key strongholds on its way to enter Baghdad and prevent Iraqi forces from moving to Mosul, a big IS-held city in the north.

On Saturday, authorities said IS used chlorine gas as a chemical weapon against their Peshmerga fighters. The alleged chemical attack took place in January on a road between Mosul city and the Syrian border.