Iraq launches major assault to take back Saddam Hussein’s homeland from IS

Iranian state television on Monday aired footage of Iraqi military forces launching a large-scale military operation to recapture Saddam Hussein's hometown from the Islamic State extremist group. Tikrit is one of the largest cities held by IS militants and lies on the road connecting Baghdad to Mosul. Retaking it will help Iraqi forces have a major supply link for any future operation to retake Mosul. According to Iranian TV reports, 60 IS militants have been killed and 70 others have been wounded so far in the offensive.