‘Peshmerga participate in Mosul operation under coalition supervision’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi stated on Wednesday that the operation to liberate Mosul in northern Iraq has started and will move forward.

Obeidi visited Makhmour front in southwestern Erbil Province and met with Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi military officers and discussed the latest developments and military advances regarding the liberation of several villages around Makhmour.

“[The] Mosul operation has started and will continue moving forward,” he stated in a press conference held in Makhmour.

Obeidi stated that soon the Iraqi army--equipped with heavy weapons--will achieve far-reaching successful operations around Makhmour and will liberate the villages from Islamic State (IS).

Regarding the multiple forces participating in the Mosul operation, Obeidi said that Peshmerga will be involved and will cooperate with the Iraqi army. “Peshmerga’s participation...will be under the supervision of the Joint Coalition Cooperation Center (JCCC) in Erbil [the capital of Kurdistan Region].”

It is worth noting that the Iraqi army has been stationed in Makhmour front since Feb. 9, 2016. There are over 7,000 soldiers there, but only 1,500 are currently participating in current operations.  

The Iraqi army recently liberated two villages but has so far failed to cross over the Zab river. Recently, an Iraqi commander told Kurdistan24 that the process is slow, and he cited that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by IS are mostly to blame.

IS has occupied Mosul since June 2014 and controlled large swaths of territories in Nineveh, Salahaddin, Anbar, and Diyala Provinces. According to Obeidi, Mosul will be liberated in the first half of 2016 stating, “the Mosul operation will end IS in the country.”

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin