Speaking to reporters after he met with army officials at the Nineveh Liberation Operation Center, Abadi criticized those who have been trying to devalue the advances of the army asking them not to “talk if they do not know anything about military affairs.”
The Iraqi prime minister said that the liberation of the city was going faster than what had been initially planned based on Ramadi and Baaiji operations, which took several months.
He explained that the military operation in Mosul was different from offensives in other cities because in Mosul “people did not flee. That is why some people claim the operation has taken a long time. We tell them ‘do not worry. Our forces are heroic and brave. They carry out their works very well.’”
Abadi also noted that “two thirds of Nineveh have been liberated… the operation is going well and no violations have been committed.”
He said in the course of the operation to date, there have been “giant advances on the east bank of Mosul and for the time being we are on the verge of liberating the left bank of Mosul entirely.”
The prime minister was optimistic, saying, “God willing, in the near future the Mosul battle will be over.”
He also praised the advancing Iraqi troops who have been trying to minimize casualties and damages among civilians.
