Iraqi security forces repel Islamic State attack on western Tikrit

TIKRIT, Iraq, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Iraqi troops, bolstered by Shia militias and helicopter gunships, repelled an Islamic State assault on Tikrit, according to reports.

Quoting an anonymous security source from Saladin province, where the city is located, Xinhua news agency reports five IS militants were killed in the assault, while seven members of Iraq's security forces were injured.

The source said four IS vehicles were damaged during the clash, which kicked off at dawn on Sunday as dozens of IS fighters attacked from the desert west of Tikrit in an attempt to gain a foothold in the city.

The Iraqi military recaptured Tikrit from IS in April after weeks of heavy fighting, and airstrikes by the U.S.-led international bombing campaign against IS, known as Operation Inherent Resolve -- as well as efforts by Shia militias known as Hashd Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Forces -- were key to the Baghdad government's success in that operation, though officials with U.S. Central Command assert coalition forces have not worked in coordination with or support of the Shia militias, which are trained and equipped by Iran.

Xinhua reports Iraqi security forces were able to stuff Sunday's attack with the help of helicopter gunships, sending IS militants into retreat back into the western desert.

The fighting coincided with battles between Iraqi forces and IS militants in the oil refinery town of Baiji, 30 miles north of Tikrit.

The Iraqi military is also locked in clashes against IS forces in the Anbar province, to the south, after mounting an offensive into the region in mid-July. At least 11 Iraqi security personnel were killed in suicide bombings and clashes with IS in the province on Aug. 30 -- three days after two Iraqi army commanders perished in a separate car bombing in Ramadi, the provincial capital.

According to a United Nations report released earlier this month, a total of 1,325 people -- including 585 civilians -- were killed in terrorist attacks and armed conflict in Iraq during the month of August.