Iraq launches massive operation to retake Tikrit and Salahaddin province from ISIS

This is breaking news, so there isn't much to go on right now.

Iraq has just launched a massive offensive from 5 fronts in order to rid ISIS from Tikrit and the Salahaddin province.

Information is from Rudaw and the BBC.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi earlier met military leaders in Salahuddin province, where troops and militia were preparing for the advance.

Tikrit is one of several areas in the mainly Sunni Muslim province in the hands of IS militants.

www.bbc.com...

Chlorine gas makes an appearance again too daas.

The terrorists have taken the chemical agent from the provincial water department, and transferred it along with large quantities of mustard gas brought from Syria to one of their hideouts in the area, Iraq’s al-Sumaria satellite TV network quoted the source as saying on condition of anonymity.

The ISIL terrorists have also overrun an industrial area known as Kokjali located on the eastern side of the conflict-ridden city of Mosul, and are manufacturing rockets filled with chemical agents to use against Iraqi army forces, the source added.

www.presstv.ir...

a reply to: weirdguy

Thanks for the info, Weirdguy.

That's not a good situation. A tricky one too, since hitting the industrial area with airstrikes could cause a catastrophe...Hopefully something is done about that.

Then there is this report about IS pulling out ahead of Italian forces headed their way in Libya.
shoebat.com...
Here is the source but it is in Arabic.
Alarabiya

Thanks for the news, I will be following.

I wonder if it is a broader overall strategy.