BAGHDAD: Iraqi troops aided by Shiite paramilitaries and Sunni tribal fighters have reached the center of Tikrit after securing the Sunni city’s southern and western sections from Islamic State militants, Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi said on Tuesday.

“Our security forces have reached the center of Tikrit and they have liberated the southern and western sides and they are moving toward the control of the whole city,” Abadi said in a statement, released by his office.

He credited the Iraqi army and police, supported by Iraqi and US-led air strikes, along with fighters on the ground from Shiite armed groups and Sunni tribes.