(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Tuesday that international military and humanitarian support was needed before an offensive to liberate Mosul from ISIS, and that Baghdad would decide the timing of the battle.
Abadi also said that Turkey would play no role in the offensive, which US military officials have reportedly said they expect in early October.
“To begin the Mosul battle we have to get military and humanitarian support from the international community,” Abadi told a news conference in Baghdad.
“We will set the time to retake Mosul, when our forces are completely ready for that battle,” he said.
Asked whether Turkish troops would play a role, he said they would not, and added that Iraq is not the place for Ankara to wage its battle against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
“Turkey will have no role in retaking Mosul; and I ask the Turkish forces to leave Iraq,” he declared. “Iraq is not a place for the PKK and Turkey’s struggle.”
The PKK has its main military base in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq, which have been subject to periodic Turkish airstrikes and shelling.
Abadi also confirmed an upcoming visit to Baghdad by Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, and said the two would discuss the Mosul battle.
“Barzani will visit Baghdad to discuss retaking Mosul, as well as our bilateral relations,” Abadi said.
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27 September 2016 - 19:02
News ID: 781877
Haider al-Abadi said Tuesday that international military and humanitarian support was needed before an offensive to liberate Mosul from ISIS.
