Defense Ministry: No foreign troops participate in Mosul offensive

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi Joint Military Command on Sunday stated no foreign ground forces would participate in the military operation to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State (IS).

Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, the spokesperson for the Joint Military Command in the Defense Ministry of Iraq, stated all the forces participating in the Mosul offensive would be local.

Rasool said this includes the Iraqi army, federal police, anti-terrorism forces and Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi with all other groups that are part of the joint command.

“No foreign ground troops will participate in the Mosul offensive,” he emphasized.

The spokeperson’s speech comes after the arrival of hundreds of American ground units were reported at the Qayyarah military air base, southern Mosul as preparations for liberating IS’ key stronghold in Iraq begins.

On Sep. 22, Iraqi security forces with the support of the US-led coalition warplanes regained the town of Shirqat, 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Mosul.

The liberation of the town helped the forces move closer to Mosul.

Rasool noted the presence of coalition advisers and troops in Iraq is for the exchange of intelligence information.

He added they cooperate in directing air strikes on IS bases and training and arming local security forces which are subject to the approval of the federal government of Iraq.

Mosul has been under the control of the jihadist group since June 2014.

The group occupied large swaths of land in northern Iraq, but since then, IS lost most of its territory as members reportedly lost the morale of fighting.

Moreover, Iraqi officials repeatedly stated 2016 would signal the end of IS in Mosul and Iraq.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany