Baghdad, Iraq (BBN)-Iraq has launched a military operation to recapture Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit from Islamic State (IS), Iraqi TV says.
Local media reported that forces were attacking the city, backed by airstrikes from Iraqi fighter jets.
Tikrit lies 150km (95 miles) north of the capital Baghdad and was seized by IS militants in June 2014, reports BBC.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi earlier met military leaders in Salahuddin province, ahead of the advance.
He offered to pardon all Sunni tribal fighters who abandoned IS.
Al-Iraqiya TV said that IS militants had been dislodged from some areas outside Tikrit but this has not been confirmed.
BBN/AS-02Mar15-1:50pm (BST)