US reiterates support for Mosul liberation and stabilization

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—The United States pledged continued support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in both the military operations against the Islamic State in Mosul and Fallujah, and in handling the humanitarian fallout.

Wrapping up a three-day visit to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, accompanied by the US ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones, described his meetings with the leadership in Erbil and Baghdad as “productive.”

In Erbil, McGurk and Jones, joined by the American Consul General in Erbil, Matthias Mitman, met with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and Iraqi National Security Advisor Falah al-Fayyad, “to discuss joint coordination and planning for upcoming operations to retake Mosul from Da’esh [ISIS] terrorists,” reads a statement issued by the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

“Mr. McGurk pledged that the coalition will support these efforts throughout operations to liberate Mosul and the post-liberation stabilization phase.”

McGurk also visited Baghdad where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the governor of Anbar, Suhaib al-Rawi.

He praised the Iraqi forces’ success in Fallujah and promised continued support from the international coalition as the forces face the challenge of retaking the rest of the city and clearing the extensive booby traps left behind by the militants.

Fallujah is also facing a humanitarian crisis as tens of thousands of civilians need help but aid agencies are underfunded and supplies are running out.

“The United States remains the number one contributor of humanitarian assistance to Iraq, contributing nearly $800 million in aid since 2014, and we are looking to further increase these contributions.”

McGurk announced an increase in aid funding via Twitter on Tuesday: “The U.S. will provide an additional $20M in response to @UNHCRIraq appeal for emergency needs in ‪#‎Fallujah‬. Our coalition must act. ‪#‎Iraq‬”

The $20 million from the United States comes on top of $15 million announced on Monday by the United Nations who are dipping into their emergency funds as they try to avert a humanitarian crisis in Fallujah.

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