Iraqi Media reported that the Iraqi security forces continued their advance towards the center of the city of Tikrit after they ripped the road that links the city with Samarra province from improvised explosive devices

Iraqi Media reported that the Iraqi security forces continued their advance towards the center of the city of Tikrit after they ripped the road that links the city with Samarra province from improvised explosive devices.

“The security forces boosted with military aircrafts continue to advance toward 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,” it said, noting that the army jets carried out accurate airstrikes against ISIL posts.

Security forces were also able to clean the Tikrit-Samarra road from roadside bombs planted by the ISIL organization terrorists.

In the hands of ISIL since early June, the Iraqi forces 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.

Iraqi pilots flew 25 Russian fighter jets for the first time, according to state television, and another batch arrived to help fight the insurgency.