Iraqi Commander:

No Need for US-Led Coalition Role in Mosul Operation

Rasa - A senior commander of Iraq’s Hashid al-Shaabi, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces, said there is no need for participation of the US-led coalition in the Arab country’s massive operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul from the Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group.

News ID: 424748

Date: 02 November 2016 - 15:21

RNA - Seyyed Hamed Jazayeri in an interview highlighted the military might of Hashid al-Shaabi forces and said, “We do not need the US-led coalition forces’ presence in the region and their support.”

He added that Hashid al-Shaabi is highly experienced and capable of leading the Mosul operation successfully.

The commander went on to say that the US is seeking to improve its image by taking part in the large-scale operation of the Iraqi forces against Daesh.

The Iraqi army, backed by Federal Police and Hashd al-Shaabi, launched the offensive on October 16 aimed at wresting Mosul from the hands of Daesh.

“The time has come for the greatest victory,” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on the same day on state TV. “I announce the start of Liberating Mosul Operation, by the will of Iraqis, and after depending on Allah.”

Al-Abadi said that Daesh would be “punished” for its crimes and that the province's cities and villages will be rebuilt.

In recent years, Iraq has been facing the threat of terrorism, mainly posed by the Daesh terrorist group.

Daesh militants made swift advances in much of northern and western Iraq over the summer of 2014, after capturing large swaths of northern Syria.

However, a combination of concentrated attacks by the Iraqi military and the volunteer forces, who rushed to take arms after top Iraqi cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a fatwa calling for fight against the militants, blunted the edge of Daesh offensive.

847/940