You may think of Tikrit as a mere trinket; it is't

Iranian and Iraqi forces are in the center of Tikrit and seem likely to route Islamic State forces from the city. 3/11/15.

images of Tikrit will give you some idea of what is at stake:

Maps

Saddam's presidential palace in Tikrit:

File:US Navy 030419-M-9124R-015 7th Marine Regiment Chaplin, Father Bill Devine speaks to U.S. Marines assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment during Catholic Mass at one of Saddam Hussein's palaces in Tikrit

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The University of Tikit:

War with ISIS

Iraqi gunships attack militants

ISIS in the city

Iran and Iraq rescue the city

THE CITY AT PEACE