Iraq

Shiite fighters and Sunni fighters, who have joined Shiite militia groups known collectively as Hashid Shaabi ("Popular Mobilization") to fight the Islamic State, gesture Tuesday next to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's palaces in the Iraqi town of

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In Tikrit Offensive, Local Sunnis, Shiite Militias Are Unlikely Allies

7:51pm April 01, 2015

by Deborah Amos

The main forces fighting the self-declared Islamic State in Tikrit, Iraq, are Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias. Despite decades-long animosity between the nations, local Sunnis are joining them.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (left) tours Tikrit after it was retaken by security forces Wednesday, a key step in driving the militants out of their biggest strongholds.

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Iraq Claims Victory Over Militants In Strategic City Of Tikrit

4:43pm April 01, 2015

by Jackie Northam

Iraqi flags are flying over government buildings again, one month into a major offensive to reclaim the city from fighters with the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

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Iraqi Forces Make Advances In Tikrit, Prime Minister Says

10:03am April 01, 2015

by Alice Fordham

After a month of fighting in the Iraqi city of Tikrit, the Iraqi Prime Minister said Tuesday that Iraqi forces took a step toward pushing out the self-declared Islamic State.

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Tikrit Battle: U.S. And Iran-Backed Militias Are On The Same Side

7:33am March 30, 2015

by Alice Fordham

In the battle to re-capture the Iraqi city from the self-proclaimed Islamic State, two influential players are fighting uncomfortably on the same side: the U.S. and Shiite militias backed by Iran.

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As Iraqi Forces Press Into Tikrit, Hundreds Of ISIS FIghters Remain

10:33am March 29, 2015

Following bombing raids on ISIS targets in Tikrit, Iraqi forces are preparing to retake the strategic city. Correspondent Alice Fordham tells NPR's Rachel Martin about her recent visit to the front.

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After Weeks On The Sidelines, U.S. Begins Air Campaign In Tikrit

8:01pm March 26, 2015

by Jackie Northam

The U.S. has begun airstrikes against self-declared Islamic State militants in Tikrit, Iraq. The effort by Iranian-backed militias to help Iraq recapture the city has stalled.

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Baghdad Dials Back Expectations For A Timeline On Mosul Offensive

8:18am March 25, 2015

by Deborah Amos

Iraq's second-largest city Mosul is under control of the self proclaims Islamic State. An Iraqi police general hoping for help in driving militants out got a recent visit from U.S. advisers.

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U.S. Providing Reconnaissance Flights Over Booby-Trapped Tikrit

2:09pm March 24, 2015

by Jackie Northam

The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq has been conducting surveillance flights over the city since March 21 to help uproot militants with the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

ISIS Issues 'Wanted' List Of 100 U.S. Military Personnel

10:10am March 23, 2015

by Scott Neuman

U.S. defense and intelligence officials tell NPR that the list appears to have been derived from publicly available sources and not a breach of a government server.

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Blair House in Washington, D.C. Ghani will be meeting with President Obama this week.

Ashraf Ghani: U.S. Critical To Afghanistan's Future

8:03am March 23, 2015

by Scott Neuman

In an interview with NPR's Morning Edition, the Afghan president says most of his country wants U.S. troops to remain. He also says he's determined to make sure ISIS doesn't gain a foothold.

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