ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TIKRIT, Iraq – Government troops paused in their advance on this critical Sunni city Tuesday as security forces prepared to clear explosives-lined streets and eject several hundred committed Islamic State militants still holed up here.

"We ceased the advance on the city to avoid the casualties among the civilians who are stuck in the city," said Abbas Al Khuzaie, a Shiite militia fighter in Tikrit. "We managed to limit (Islamic State) movement inside the town."

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