Iraq's defense minister Khaled al-Obaidi who visited the Makhmour on Saturday told Rudaw that the Mosul operation will come sooner than ISIS may expect. Al-Obaidi added that the army has gained new experiences which will prove vital in the Mosul offensive.
"The Mosul operation will be no later than the first half of this year," he said. "The operation to liberate Nineveh will be sooner and harsher than what ISIS expects. It will be done through new technics and experience Iraqi forces have gained in battle."
"We will use such new weapons that will shock ISIS. It is possible that the Peshmerga will also participate and play their role," he added.
