Barzani: Post-Mosul liberation security must be planned

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) - President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani said on Wednesday that the security of Nineveh (Mosul) Province should be strongly considered in the period following the planned liberation of Mosul.

His statement comes after a meeting with Nawfil Hamadi Agub, the new government-appointed governor of Nineveh Province. President added that security measures must be put in place to ensure that all people in the province are protected and will not be displaced or persecuted again.

The operation to liberate Mosul, the de-facto capital of Islamic State (IS), is set to take place during the second half of 2016, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi said in early January. IS took control of the city of Mosul in June 2014, and quickly spread from Nineveh to Salahaddin, Diyala and Anbar Provinces.

President Barzani discussed developments along the front lines throughout Iraq and agreed that IS is a threat to everyone regardless of ethnic and religious background. In the meeting, they also noted the need for increased international assistance for Peshmerga and Iraqi forces fighting IS militants on the ground.

Agub praised Barzani as a charismatic leader who helped to resolve hostilities between different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq.

“Barzani has become the most trusted leader for the people in the region in general and for Nineveh Province in particular,” said Agub, according to a statement released by the Kurdistan Region Presidency office.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin