ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - British Defense Minister Michael Fallon concluded a two-day visit in Erbil on Thursday after meeting with Kurdish officials to discuss military cooperation between the United Kingdom and Iraqi and Kurdish forces ahead of the long-planned operation to retake Mosul from Islamic State (ISIS) militants. In Erbil Fallon met with the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and pledged continued support for the Peshmerga forces ahead of Mosul operation. Military aides to the Kurdish president say the operation could take place within a month and before the cold season starts in the country as authorities predict a massive refugee crisis from the ISIS-held city. "Britain will continue to be engaged in the war against the ISIS terrorists and also continue to support and train the Peshmerga and provide military consultation to the Ministry of Peshmerga," read a statement by the Kurdish presidency's office shortly after the meeting. According to the statement both parties discussed ways to prepare for the Mosul offensive, including the refugee crisis and the challenge of rebuilding the administrative bodies of the city after the departure of ISIS militants. Fallon arrived in Baghdad Wednesday, where he met with Iraqi officials. The minister said his country will "stand shoulder to shoulder with the Iraqi forces to eradicate ISIS." He also said the British army has trained some 25,000 Iraqi forces including the Peshmerga and financed nearly 20 percent of the coalition expenses in the war against ISIS. "ISIS has lost 50 percent of its territories. Iraq is again close to its independence," he said during his visit to Baghdad.
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