“‘The liberation of Tikrit was carried out by the efforts of the Iraqi army and police, public mobilization units, tribal forces and the people of Tikrit city,’ Mr. Abadi [i.e., Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi] said on state television. ‘It was carried out under air cover and concentrated bombardment by the Iraqi air force, army air force and the international coalition against the terrorists of ISIS’” (Matt Bradley and Julian Barnes, “Iraq Recaptures Tikrit From Islamic State,” The Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2015).

At the point where the Iraqi army started to stall, the United States began air strikes to aid in the operation. The Americans want the Iraqis to continue to partner with them instead of Iran and the Shiite militias it’s backing, as the latter could well lead to Iraq eventually coming under Iranian dominion.

As for the Islamic State, Tikrit was a major loss, but ISIS is able to regroup in various areas—and more terrorists in other places continue to declare loyalty to what they see as the restored Islamic caliphate.

Of course, the Middle East will continue to be a hotbed of military and religious strife. And the ongoing struggle will, despite breaks in hostility at times, lead in the end to the return of Jesus Christ. Finally, an ultimately just and wise Ruler will bring peace to the most contentious area of the world. (Source: The Wall Street Journal.)