Shi'ite fighters launch a rocket during clashes with Islamic State militants on the outskirts of al-Alam March 8, 2015. Thaier Al-Sudani: “It was me and a few other Iraqi journalists working for local outlets. We went to the frontlines in coordination with the Iraqi government forces and supporting militias. The press officer would come in the morning and take us to the frontline in a convoy. Whenever an area was won from Islamic State, the fighters would chant and pray and show victory signs. Most of the areas we were in didn't have residents, so after the battle they would resemble ghost towns; nothing but burnt cars and charred bodies of Islamic State fighters. Al-Alam was an exception as it had some residents who chanted for the government forces after their victory”. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

A member of the Iraqi security forces holds his weapon in Al Hadidiya, south of Tikrit, en route to the Islamic State-controlled al-Alam town, where they are preparing to launch an offensive on Saturday, March 6, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

A member of the Iraqi security forces prays in the town of Tal Ksaiba, near the town of al-Alam March 7, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

A woman with her child sits in a military vehicle as she returns home at the town of Tal Ksaiba, near the town of al-Alam March 7, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

Shi'ite fighters chant slogans as they advance into the town of Tal Ksaiba, near the town of al-Alam, March 7, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

Iraqi officers inspect a map on the outskirts of al-Alam March 8, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

Shi'ite fighters ride an armoured vehicle in the town of al-Alam March 9, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

A member of Iraqi security forces run as another holds an Islamist State flag, which they pulled down in the town of al-Alam March 9, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

Armored vehicles of Iraqi security forces with militias known as Hashid Shaabi are driven past smoke arising from a clash with Islamic State militants in the town of al-Alam March 10, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

A resident welcomes a relative who belongs to militias known as Hashid Shaabi, in the town of al-Alam March 10, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

Shi'ite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi walk as smoke rises from an explosives-laden military vehicle driven by an Islamic State suicide bomber which exploded during an attack on the southern edge of Tikrit March 12, 2015. (Photo by Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)