(VOVworld) – US aircraft on Wednesday launched bombing raids to help Iraqi forces recapture Tikrit from the Islamic State after Baghdad issued a request for air power.

Over the weekend, U.S. aircraft – including drones – began carrying out surveillance flights to support the Tikrit operation. (Photo: Reuters)

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said the government of Iraq has requested coalition support for operations in Tikrit and the operations are ongoing. According to Pentagon officials, US and allied warplanes struck 6 to 10 targets in Tikrit, which were pre-selected by coalition surveillance planes.

Tikrit was seized by the IS in June, 2014, and has become a target of Iraqi forces. If this campaign is successful, it will help the Iraqi army regain control of Mosul, the biggest city in Northern Iraq controlled by the IS.