Iraqi troops and mainly Shia militiamen exchanged fire sporadically with Islamic State fighters in Tikrit.
Shia fighters known as Hashid Shaabi walk with their weapons, on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani
Shia fighters known as Hashid Shaabi rest on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani
Hashid Shaabi fighters ride in a military vehicle on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani
Hashid Shaabi members carry their weapons on the southern edge of Tikrit, March 12, 2015. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani
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
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
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