Members of Iraqi security forces and Shiite militia fighters make their way in vehicles from Samarra to the outskirts of Tikrit, north of Baghdad, February 28, 2015. Islamic State suicide bombers and fighters struck targets on Saturday in the northern Iraqi city of Samarra, where security forces and their Shi’ite militia allies have been gathering for an offensive against the radical Sunni militants. Thousands of troops and fighters from Shi’ite militias known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) have gathered around Samarra for a campaign to drive Islamic State out of nearby strongholds on the Tigris River, including the city of Tikrit 50 km (30 miles) to the north. The army shelled northern and western districts of Tikrit on Saturday, but did not send troops into the city, security sources said. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ – Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)