Shortage of Soldiers has led Iraq offensive against ISIS to Halt

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Battling to get full control of the city of Tikrit from Islamic State militants But Shortage of Soldiers has led Iraq Offensive against ISIS to Halt their  advance for a second day on Saturday as they awaited reinforcements.

A source in the local military command center told Reuters "  military commanders had reached a decision to halt the operation until a suitable, carefully set plan is in place to break into central Tikrit"

The source, speaking by phone from near Tikrit, said the Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) were waiting for reinforcements from "well-trained forces". Yet the source could not elaborate the further time line of arrival of the reinforcements.

"We do not need a large number, just one or two thousand. We need professional personnel and soldiers," he said, explaining they were needed to engage in street-by-street battles with Islamic State fighters who have set booby traps in many buildings in the city and laid IEDs and roadside bombs.

Islamic State overran Iraq's weakened army last year, seizing large amounts of territory where they have declared a caliphate and imposed brutal rule.

Some 30,000 Iraqi forces and mainly Shi'ite militia backed by Ariel Support had launched a major military offensive strikes on ISIS controlled Tikrit, hometown of Saddam Hussain some two weeks ago.

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