TOPSHOTS An Iraqi fighter of the government-controlled Popular Mobilisation units takes part in a military operation to advance into the centre of Tikrit, 160 kms north of Baghdad, from jihadists from the Islamic state (IS) group, on March 11 2015. The city, which is the home town of former president Saddam Hussein, is the toughest target for the government troops and allied militias that started winning back lost ground last year. AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE