Iraqi forces killed 18 militants of Daesh terrorist group in Salaheddin province, security sources said.
Iraqi officials said the Iraqi forces started the second phase of its operation to retake Tikrit in Salahuddin from Daesh militants.
Security sources said the Iraqi forces foiled an attack by Daesh in the nearby oil refinery town of Baiji in Salahuddin.
As of Monday, Iraqi forces launched a major assault to retake Tikrit, the capital of Salaheddin province and one of the main stronghold of the militant group.