Mosul official: Iraqi government not serious about recapturing Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Sunni official from Mosul province says the Iraqi government is “not serious” about pushing back jihadist militants from the Sunni heartland.

Bashar Kiki, who is head of Mosul’s provincial council, says that Baghdad government has not supported Sunni tribes in the area that are willing to take on the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists in Mosul.

“The central government has a duty to support those who have registered to join the forces that want to confront ISIS, but so far no such indication is seen in Baghdad,” Kiki told Rudaw.

He explained that Sunni tribes in Mosul province have attempted to set up militias which would eventually take part in the liberation of the city with Baghdad’s largely Shiite government reluctant to arm them.

Kiki said efforts are underway to organize Sunni tribal forces for action against ISIS in Mosul province, but direct support from both Baghdad and Kurdish authorities is “vital.”

“I have said from the start that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Peshmerga forces must take part in any effort, but we know that former prime minister Nouri Maliki did not allow the Peshmarga to enter Mosul,” Kiki said.

“We know now what kind of negative impact Mosul’s fall had on the Kurdistan Region.”

Kiki said most people in Mosul province -- predominantly a Sunni area -- are against a strong central Iraqi government’s presence in their region, despite their overall opposition to the jihadist rule.

“People do not want to go back to the old system with a strong Iraqi command in these areas. Most people here resent that and want more self-rule, “Kiki added.

He said there are plans to liberate Mosul, but had no knowledge about when operations might take place.

“I do not think the Iraqi government is serious enough. But for any operation to succeed, I think Baghdad must include the KRG and the US and Mosul’s local authorities in any realistic plan to take back Mosul.”