Now playing Next Iraq Iraqi forces '72 hours' away from centre of ISIL-held Tikrit Iraqi military officials say they expect to reach the centre of Tikrit in 72 hours. Backed by their mainly Shi’ite militia allies, forces have been 14/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraqi operation to take Tikrit from ISIL 'on hold' Iraqi security forces with Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia are camped outside the city, apparently awaiting reinforcements, as insurgents from the self-proclaimed Islamic State dig in. 13/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq IS talks tough but loses ground in Iraq Street fighting continues in Tikrit in Iraq after the Iraqi army entered the city yesterday and engaged with IS forces. The army, led by Shia militia 13/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraq PM seeks to reassure Tikrit's Sunnis before imminent Shi'ite assault Iraqi forces and largely Shi'ite militia, believed to be Iranian-backed, are poised to retake Tikrit from ISIL. The authorities say action is being taken in the face of fears for the majority Sunni po 12/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Battle for Tikrit: Iraqi forces 'advancing on city centre' Iraqi and Shi’ite militia men have entered parts of the city of Tikrit in a key test for Iraqi forces in their battle against ISIL militants. It is 12/03/2015
Now playing Next My Europe Series How do we protect irreplaceable world heritage treasures? Protecting World Heritage sites is the subject in this edition of Utalk. The question comes from Raja in Brussels: “Who is responsible for protecting 11/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraqi army and militia advance into Tikrit as ISIL retreat Iraqi security forces and Shi’ite militia fighters have captured part of the largest district of Tikrit from the self-proclaimed Islamic State group 11/03/2015
Now playing Next Syria ISIL militants release latest propaganda execution video The parents of a 19-year-old Israeli Arab, who appears to have been shot dead in the latest ISIL video have denied their son way a spy. Visibly 11/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq The route to Mosul: Iraqi forces close in on Tikrit The US military has announced coalition forces carried out eight air strikes against ISIL militants in Iraq over a 24-hour period around March 9 10/03/2015
Now playing Next World More Iraq sites at risk from ISIL 'cultural cleansing' - UNESCO The UN's educational, scientific and cultural organisation has called for a regional and international alliance to counter the extremists' acts of destruction that it calls 'war crimes'. 09/03/2015
Now playing Next Syria Meet the militia fighting ISIL's "dictatorship and inhumanity" in Syria 09/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraq calls for international air power to stop ISIL wrecking priceless heritage Iraq is calling for air power to be used to stop ISIL militants destroying the country’s archaeological treasures. The US-led coalition – which has 08/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraqi forces make gains against ISIL Iraqi forces are making "rapid success" in their effort to retake Tikrit, according to the country's interior minister. 07/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq ISIL militants bulldoze ancient city of Hatra ISIL militants reportedly destroyed the ancient city of Hatra in Northern Iraq on Saturday. 07/03/2015
Now playing Next World How the US has handed part of Iraqi battlefield to Iran - analyst As Iraqi forces close in on the strategic city of Tikrit, they are not battling ISIL alone. Government troops are backed by a small contingent of 06/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq ISIL militants loot and destroy ancient Iraqi city, say tourism officials ISIL militants have started razing the ruins of the ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud, according to tourism officials. They claim heavy machinery has 06/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Thousands flee Tikrit battle Thousands of refugees have fled Tikrit as Iraqi troops backed by Shi’ite militia battle to re-take the ISIL strong-hold in Iraq. Heading into its 06/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraq intensifies assault on ISIL stronghold, Tikrit A 30,000-strong force of Iraqi soldiers and Shi'ite militiamen intensifies its assault on ISIL stronghold and Saddam Hussein's former hometown, Tikrit. 04/03/2015
Now playing Next Iraq Iraqi forces pursue battle to retake Tikrit from ISIL militants Iraqi soldiers and Shi’ite militiamen are pursuing efforts to retake Tikrit, the hometown of fallen dictator Saddam Hussein, now a stronghold of 03/03/2015