Iraqi Forces Take Part Of Northern Tikrit From ISIS, Governor Claims

BAGHDAD, March 11 (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces and militia fighters captured part of Tikrit's northern Qadisiya district on Wednesday in their first advance into the city seized nine months ago by Islamic State militants, security officials and the provincial governor said.



"The governor of Salahuddin announces the purging of half of Qadisiya district, the largest of Tikrit's neighborhoods," a statement from governor Raed al-Jubouri's office said.



The army and militia fighters raised the national flag above a military hospital in the section of Qadisiya they had retaken from the militants, security officials said.



They said the offensive then stopped because advancing troops had come under sniper fire and needed to defuse roadside bombs and booby-trapped buildings.



To the west of the city, advancing forces were halted by a minefield on the outskirts of the city. To the south, the army and two military helicopters shelled Islamic State positions but no ground operation was taking place, the sources said.



(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Alison Williams)