Iraq claims victory over Islamic State in Tikrit

Military policemen raise their weapons at their barracks in Yemen's northwestern city of Saada April 1, 2015. REUTERS/Naiyf Rahma

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - The Iraqi government claimed victory over Islamic State insurgents in Tikrit on Wednesday after a month-long battle for the city supported by Shi'ite militiamen and U.S.-led air strikes, saying that only small pockets of resistance remained.

State television showed Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, accompanied by leaders of the army and police, the provincial governor and Shi'ite paramilitary leaders, parading through Tikrit and raising an Iraqi flag.