World Bulletin / News Desk 

Iraqi forces backed by local tribes and Shiite groups killed 25 members of the ISIL on Tuesday in the northern province of Saladin, a Shiite group's spokesman said.

Iraqi troops were supported by al-Jabbour tribal group and the al-Hashid al-Sha’bi Shiite militia in the clashes, which took place near the city of Tikrit.

 Karim al- Nouri al-Hashid, the al-Sha’bi Shiite militia’s spokesman says "Most of the killed ISIL members were Arab nationals not Iraqis. The majority of the militants retreated to central Tikrit."

Iraqi security forces backed by Shiite militias have launched a ground offensive against ISIL on Monday to recapture Tikrit city, aiming to approach ISIL stronghold of Mosul. Tikrit, a Sunni-majority city, was the homeland of the deceased Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.