Iraqi forces seize control of eastern Mosul, prime minister says
World




Tue, 24/01/2017 - 18:47



Iraqi forces have taken full control of the eastern side of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced Tuesday, around three months after the launch of an offensive to drive Islamic State militants out of the city.

"This is a major achievement for the Iraqi forces," al-Abadi told a press conference in Baghdad. "I call upon these heroes to quickly liberate the rest of Nineveh province, especially the western side of (Tigris) river."

"We have proved that Daesh is shrinking and disappearing," he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

Islamic State militants took control of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, in mid-2014. The operation to recapture the northern city, Islamic State's main stronghold in Iraq, was launched in October, backed by airstrikes and advisors from a US-led coalition against the extremist group.

Al-Abadi denied any presence for foreign troops fighting on the ground in Iraq.

The administration of US President Donald Trump offered to increase that country's assistance to Iraq, al-Abadi added

They promised that "the US assistance to Iraq will continue, and increase in the future to support Iraq in fighting terrorism on all levels," al-Abadi said.

Answering a question about Trump's recent comments claiming the US should have handled the invasion of Iraq differently, including "keeping the oil," al-Abadi dismissed them as not clear.

"Did he mean taking the oil in 2003 or now so that Daesh does not take it? It is not clear. But Iraqi oil will remain for the Iraqis," the premier said.

Al-Abadi warned against increasing attacks by Islamic State militants, which he expected in retaliation following the advances made by the security forces.

"Daesh now has one choice, to launch terrorist attacks in the cities in order to weaken the state, so we have to be careful," he said.

In recent months, Islamic State militants have carried out a string of counter-attacks in different parts of Iraq in an attempt to hamper a US-backed military campaign to drive the extremist militia from Mosul.
Last update: Tue, 24/01/2017 - 21:03

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