Iraq: Islamic State Assault Captures Tikrit-Kirkuk Road

January 14, 2016 | 16:08 GMT

Islamic State militants captured the main road connecting the cities of Tikrit and Kirkuk, according to Iraqi government and military officials in the area, Rudaw reported Jan. 14. At least 13 Islamic State fighters and seven Iraqi soldiers were killed in the Islamic State assault, which began with the detonation of several car bombs by the militant group. Iraqi police have reportedly imposed a curfew on eastern parts of Tikrit and security forces have called for airstrikes to engage Islamic State targets nearby, Almada Press reported. Iraqi security forces backed by a spectrum of anti-Islamic State groups — include Sunni and Shiite militias — recaptured Tikrit from the militant organization at the end of March 2015.