Iraqi army not ‘fully ready’ for Mosul operation, Peshmerga official says
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The General Director of the Peshmerga Ministry in Erbil says that the Iraqi army is not ‘fully prepared’ for the anticipated Mosul operation since it still has to produce a plan for the eventualities they will face both before and after the offensive.
Jabar Yawar told Rudaw on Wednesday that the Peshmerga forces will only operate as “supporting troops” in most of the joint offensive which is aimed at retaking the Islamic State (ISIS)-held city.
“The Peshmerga will only take part in the last part of the operation which is the grand plan of retaking the downtown of Mosul city,” Yawar said. “Iraqi military should itself do the rest,” he added.
The battle for Mosul has been repeatedly postponed over the past year as the Iraqi army has been more focused on retaking territory from the militants in central parts of the country in Anbar province - where they are currently fighting the militants in Fallujah.
With a population of over a million people Mosul’s recapture will likely be difficult since the offensive could well trigger a massive displacement crisis.
Iraqi and Kurdish authorities fear that nearly half-a-million people would leave the city before the offensive and add to the 2.5 million displaced people in the country, most of whom are in the Kurdistan Region.
“We have had no meetings in regard to this operation, and before careful planning I don't think any operation should be launched,” Yawar said.
Yawar also said that the Iraqi government should determine who would be in charge of the security in the Sunni stronghold after it was recaptured since many of the factions in Mosul have raised concern over the participation of Shiite-led militias in the operation to liberate and secure the city.
Yawar said the Peshmerga troops had already retaken many areas that surround Mosul including Shingal, Zummar and Khazer villages in the north while the Iraqi army “has a long way to go to reach Mosul from the south.”
Jabar Yawar told Rudaw on Wednesday that the Peshmerga forces will only operate as “supporting troops” in most of the joint offensive which is aimed at retaking the Islamic State (ISIS)-held city.
“The Peshmerga will only take part in the last part of the operation which is the grand plan of retaking the downtown of Mosul city,” Yawar said. “Iraqi military should itself do the rest,” he added.
The battle for Mosul has been repeatedly postponed over the past year as the Iraqi army has been more focused on retaking territory from the militants in central parts of the country in Anbar province - where they are currently fighting the militants in Fallujah.
With a population of over a million people Mosul’s recapture will likely be difficult since the offensive could well trigger a massive displacement crisis.
Iraqi and Kurdish authorities fear that nearly half-a-million people would leave the city before the offensive and add to the 2.5 million displaced people in the country, most of whom are in the Kurdistan Region.
“We have had no meetings in regard to this operation, and before careful planning I don't think any operation should be launched,” Yawar said.
Yawar also said that the Iraqi government should determine who would be in charge of the security in the Sunni stronghold after it was recaptured since many of the factions in Mosul have raised concern over the participation of Shiite-led militias in the operation to liberate and secure the city.
Yawar said the Peshmerga troops had already retaken many areas that surround Mosul including Shingal, Zummar and Khazer villages in the north while the Iraqi army “has a long way to go to reach Mosul from the south.”