CRI听力:Iraqi PM Announces "Liberation" of Tikrit

The Iraqi government is claiming victory in the city of Tikrit, saying its security forces have liberated the city from the Islamic State.

It's said to be the biggest victory yet in the Iraqi government's fight against the militants.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

"I'd like to present to you the good news that our troops have entered the city center of Tikrit. They raised the Iraqi flag over the provincial building. And they are now purging other parts of the city from Daesh. The extremists planted bombs inside houses, government offices and destroyed all installations."

While claiming victory, Iraqi government forces admit they only have around three quarters of Tikrit recaptured.

The operation to retake Saddam Hussein's hometown began a month ago.

Fighting had been bogged down before Iraqi forces made rapid advances over the past two days with the help of US airstrikes.

Tikrit, some 130 kilometers north Baghdad, fell to the Islamic State in June. Retaking the city is considered both psychologically and strategically important.

Tikrit is viewed as a stepping-stone to recapturing Mosul, Iraq's second largest city and the gateway to the country's oil-rich north.

It's expected the push toward Mosul may begin in a few weeks.

However, Islamic State forces still control towns along the main road leading to Mosul.