Story highlights ISIS still has some fighters in Tikrit; joint forces are in clearing operations

Prime Minister says that Tikrit is back under government control

Government has its eyes on a bigger prize with the city of Mosul

(CNN) Iraqi forces battling to wrest Tikrit from ISIS are now in control of the city, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Tuesday on Iraqiya TV.

Al-Abadi, who is also the top military commander, said on state television that the city was liberated.

While al-Abadi has declared victory in the battle, pockets of fighting continues. Iraqi forces and Shiite militias are taking part in clearing operations.

Iraqi forces reached the center of Tikrit and hoisted the nation's flag on top of the Governorate Building, al-Abadi said. Fighting continued on the outskirts of the city, he added.

Tikrit had been under ISIS control since June.

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