Iraq's army has launched a major offensive on the northern city of Tikrit, forcing ISIS-led Sunni militants to retreat, state media says.
Thousands of Iraqi troops launched an offensive on Sunni militants in Tikrit from four directions with tanks and air power on Saturday.
According to the BBC, state television said the governor's HQ had been recaptured and 60 fighters from the ISIS militant group killed.
A spokesman for the rebels confirmed heavy fighting. However, he said that the attack had failed, saying they were pursuing what was left of the army offensive, the report said.
The report added that the ISIS has been successfully cleared from the city.
While some of the militant commanders were among the 60 killed, the others reportedly fled.
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