Iraq army makes gains against ISIL in Salahuddin

Iraqi forces, backed by Sunni tribesman and Shia volunteers, have made new gains against Takfiri ISIL terrorists in the restive Salahuddin Province.

According to reports on Thursday, the Iraqi forces managed to clear Ahbab Tal Thahab district in the town of Balad south of Tikrit.

The area was one of the main strongholds of the Takfiri terrorists.

“The army has cleared a very dangerous area, which is one of the main strongholds of ISIS (ISIL), during an accurate military operation,” Shafaq News quoted an unnamed Iraqi official as saying.

The town is mainly in the hands of the Iraqi forces now, but sporadic clashes with ISIL militants are still underway.

Iraqi army soldiers have been fighting the ISIL terrorists for nearly six months now.

The ISIL launched an offensive in June and took control of Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, before sweeping through parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland. The extremist group has threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians during its advances in Iraq.