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Iraqi forces and Shia militiamen fighting in Tikrit

A shiite fighter known as Hashid Shaabi keeps watch on the frontline, on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015

A Shia fighter, part of the group known as Hashid Shaabi, keeps watch on the front-line, on the southern edge of Tikrit. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

Iraqi troops and mainly Shia militiamen exchanged fire sporadically with Islamic State fighters in Tikrit.

Shiite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi walk with their weapons, on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015.
Shia fighters known as Hashid Shaabi walk with their weapons, on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

Shiite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi rest on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015
Shia fighters known as Hashid Shaabi rest on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

Shiite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi ride in a military vehicle on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015
Hashid Shaabi fighters ride in a military vehicle on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

Shiite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi carry their weapons on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015
Hashid Shaabi members carry their weapons on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

Shiite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi take cover before an Islamic State suicide bomber explodes at the front line, on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015
Shia fighters take cover before an Islamic State suicide bomber explodes at the front line, on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

Shiite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi take cover before an Islamic State suicide bomber explodes on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015
Shia fighters known as Hashid Shaabi take cover before an Islamic State suicide bomber explodes on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani

A Shiite fighter known as Hashid Shaabi, runs as smoke rises from an explosives-laden military vehicle driven by an Islamic State suicide bomber which exploded during an attack on the southern edge of Tikr
Shia fighter runs as smoke rises from an explosives-laden military vehicle driven by an Islamic State suicide bomber which exploded during an attack on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani