WATCH: ‘US won’t be involved in post-Mosul planning’

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – In a recent interview, a Middle East expert stated that the United States would not be involved in the post-Mosul liberation planning.

Aaron Stein, a Resident Fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, spoke to Kurdistan24 about the US’ involvement in the anticipated Mosul operation to free the city from the Islamic State (IS).

“From what we see is that [the US] largely wants [the Mosul operation] to be led by the Iraqi security forces,” he said.

“Obviously, there will be Americans embedded with them and American air crafts providing air cover for the expected operation,” Stein added.

The Middle East expert also mentioned that Peshmerga forces would “obviously” be a part of the process, providing support from the north.

Stein also discussed the recent meeting between Turkish President Recap Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Resident Fellow said it was “far-fetched” to think the meeting was meant to foster a relationship between the two countries stronger than what the US and Turkey have.

Stein stated that the meeting had been planned ever since the Turkish Air Force shot down a Russian plane in its airspace.

He added that it was meant to “punctuate” the “ongoing rapprochement” between the two and strengthen “economic ties.”

“There is a general sense here in Washington that Turkey has no other ally other than the United States,” Stein explained.

The Middle East expert also addressed the failed coup attempt on July 15 and said Turkey’s demands for the extradition of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen do not follow protocol.

“The United States would like to see Turkey provide evidence for the alleged involvement of [Gulen] in the coup,” he said.

“Turkey has been less for the right in terms of doing the exact paperwork and bureaucratic processes needed,” Stein pointed out.

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington, DC conducted the interview)