WATCH: ‘Kurds need more support to accommodate Mosul refugees’

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – During a conference on Sep. 9 regarding the upcoming Mosul offensive, a US official admitted a more intelligent strategy is required to liberate the city.

Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, has been under the control of the Islamic State (IS) since 2014 and preparations are underway to defeat the insurgents.

Eric Brown, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, spoke to Kurdistan24 after the conference about the anticipated operation against IS.

He explained the current military strategy adopted by the US and its allies might create more humanitarian burdens, distress, and displacement.

“We [are] deeply concerned that the current military strategy the United States has supported to oust [IS] could potentially create a lot more needless humanitarian suffering,” Brown said.

“It’s really important to reassess, to slow down, and to follow a more intelligence-driven strategy,” the Senior Fellow added.

Moreover, Brown emphasized a long-term plan regarding the future of Mosul is required to ensure a stable and “liveable” city for the people.

“[The US must] think more clearly and long-term about how to build up the actual institutions in Mosul, the police force, the governing institutions among other things,” he told Kurdistan24.

The Hudson Institute member also stressed the US’ allies, particularly Kurdistan and Iraq, are not adequately supported to handle the expected humanitarian crisis once the offensive begins.

“The humanitarian displacement from the current military first offensive in Mosul could reach upwards of 1.2 million people,” Brown said.

“Our front line allies in the region, particular in Iraq and Kurdistan, are not properly supported right now to deal with the potential humanitarian fallout,” he concluded.

 Editing by Ava Homa

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington, DC conducted the interview)