India is facilitating return of six hundred Indian nationals this week from non-conflict zones of Iraq.

Giving an update on the situation in Iraq, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Indian diplomats in Iraq are reaching out to Indians and facilitating paperwork and ticketing for those who want to return home.

He said 60 Indians left from Najaf, 30 from Karbala and four from Baghdad yeterday. Akbaruddin said all Indians are leaving by commercial flights but India's all assets stand ready to evacuate Indian nationals if need arises.

Meanwhile, fresh fighting in Iraq has erupted around the ISIL militant’s strongholds in the town of Tikrit. Iraqi army backed by tanks and helicopter gunships has mounted a counteroffensive to take back the town from the militants.

Iraqi state media said troops have taken away parts of Tikrit university but fighting is still on for the control of the town which was overrun by the militants on June 13.

United States is sending another 300 troops to Baghdad and surrounding areas to ramp up security at the U.S. Embassy to protect officials and property.