(28 Mar 2015) VOICE-OVER:
IRAQ'S FINAL PUSH TO RETAKE TIKRIT FROM I-S MILITANTS WAS IN FULL GEAR SATURDAY -- JUST DAYS AFTER THE U.S. CONDUCTED AIR STRIKES IN SUPPORT OF IRAQ'S STALLED GROUND OFFENSIVE.
IRAQI SOLDIERS COULD BE SEEN FIRING A MISSILE LAUNCHER -- MORTARS -- AND MACHINE GUNS TOWARD WHAT ARE BELIEVED TO BE I-S MILITANT POSITIONS INSIDE TIKRIT.
THE FINAL PUSH IS HAPPENING WITHOUT IRAQ'S IRAN-BACKED SHIITE MILITIA'S -- WHICH BACKED OUT IN PROTEST OVER THE U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT FOR THE CITY.
THE BATTLE IS SEEN AS A KEY STEP TOWARD EVENTUALLY DRIVING THE ISLAMIC STATE GROUP FROM MOSUL -- IRAQ'S SECOND LARGEST CITY -- WHICH IS LOCATED FARTHER NORTH.
NED BARKER/Associated Press
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