left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. what made isis unique was its ma nigh cal pen maniacal penchant for fame and to attract followers from near and far. it boasted its barbarity with high production value videos, the beheadings of american journalists, james foley and others. the burning alive in a cave of jordanian air force pilot. the murder of more than a thousand iraqi soldiers in this camp outside tikrit. it took equally perverse pressure and pride in the wanton treasures of archeological treasures and religious shrines, the persecution of the
are killed when isis uses homemade bombs. 100 miles away iraqi forces are on the doorstep of what could be a major victory as they make progress taking back tikrit. you won t see residents celebrating that victory. very few people are actually in that city any longer. ben wedeman explains from outside tikrit. reporter: this is what victory looks like in the war against isis. iraqi police soldiers and pair a militaries flash the sign but there is no fanfare for the victors in the newly conquered town of adur outside tikrit. a drive through adur passing through isis s logos painted on the walls is an eerie experience. isis has been driven out of this town and probably will soon be driven out of tikrit but what they leave behind are ghost towns. almost all of the local inhabitants have left.
er. they killed his wife two sons and two grandsons. he soon took up arms against a group. an isis flag flutters atop a communications tower in the distance. these fighters have made common cause with shia troops to retake tikrit. proudly showing me his new sniper rifle, he is confident his days are numbered. he says this will be their graveyard. with no crowds to cheer them on the soldiers cheer themselves. they may be winning this battle but the war is far from over. cnn outside tikrit, iraq.
a lot of concern that there will be revenge for these killings and the capture of these recruits when they go in. and of course, as we know to win the battle against isis to make any difference on the ground it is not only about capturing areas but about winning the sunni population and having them on board. tikrit is a big test in what happens next and how things unfold in iraq next. very true. reporting live from amman, jordan, this morning. thank you. italy may be heading for the record books. you will not believe how much snow has fallen in a single day. details ahead in our weather report. and great news for apple lovers. the company s released its latest device. we ll tell you you what you need to know. hey, girl. is it crazy that your soccer trophy is talking to you right now? it kinda is. it s as crazy as you not rolling over your old 401k. cue the horns. just harness the confidence it took you to win me and call td
[ laughter ] and our thanks to jeff zeleny for that report. isis may soon buckle to iraqi forces after just over a week of fighting in and around tikrit. iraqi commanders say the key city could be liberated in just days. now ben wedeman saw the battle close up and filed this report near the front lines. we ve got to give a warning here some of his material you may find graphic. reporter: the leader has arrived at the front. he doesn t wear a uniform or hold an official rank but is perhaps the most powerful military leader in iraq. he heads the budid oregon and a predominantly shia paramilitary force that appears to be doing the lion s share of the fighting for tikrit. and he s confident his men can crush isis in iraq without the help of the u.s.-led coalition.