️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️  <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> Iraq requested the strikes, which began Wednesday and are 'ongoing,' according to the unnamed US official. An Associated Press correspondent in Tikrit reported hearing warplanes overhead late Wednesday, followed by multiple explosions.<unk> An Associated Press correspondent in Tikrit reported hearing warplanes overhead late Wednesday, followed by multiple explosions. <unk> <unk> ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Iraq began the Tikrit ground offensive in early March without requesting US air support, even as it welcomed help from Iran.<unk> Iraq began the Tikrit ground offensive in early March without requesting US air support, even as it welcomed help from Iran. In an address to the nation Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi predicted success in Tikrit but did not say the US was providing airstrikes.<unk> In an address to the nation Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi predicted success in Tikrit but did not say the US was providing airstrikes. We have started the final phase of the operation in Tikrit,<unk>he said.<unk>We have started the final phase of the operation in Tikrit,<unk>he said. "Vous allez libérer votre terrain, pas n'importe qui sauf vous", a-t-il déclaré, dans un discours au peuple irakien. Al-Abadi praised all the groups involved in the battle against the Islamic State group, including the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces, which the US calls Iran-backed militias, the Sunni tribes and coalition forces.<unk> Al-Abadi praised all the groups involved in the battle against the Islamic State group, including the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces, which the US calls Iran-backed militias, the Sunni tribes and coalition forces. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Difficulties: Militias like the Imam Ali Brigades, one of whose members is shown, have encircled ISIS forces but have been unable to dislodge them from the city. Iran has provided artillery and other weaponry for the Tikrit battle, and senior Iranian advisors have helped Iraq coordinate the offensive.<unk> Iran has provided artillery and other weaponry for the Tikrit battle, and senior Iranian advisors have helped Iraq coordinate the offensive. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Col Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said Wednesday the Iraqi forces have encircled Tikrit but...
<unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> A Pentagon spokesman said the offensive has'stagnated' (<unk>)