Iraqi PM briefs president, speaker on upcoming Mosul op

By Arif Yusuf and Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has briefed President Fuad Masum and Parliamentary Speaker Saleem al-Jubouri regarding the army's imminent campaign to retake the northern city of Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group, according to a Thursday statement issued by al-Abadi's office.

"Al-Abadi spoke [with Masum and al-Jubouri] about the participation of Iraqi troops in the upcoming [Mosul] campaign and means of reducing losses sustained by Iraqi forces, in addition to the need to restore stability in liberated areas," statement read.

"They also discussed the need for an urgent solution to the crisis of Iraq’s displaced people," the statement added, noting that the three men had also agreed on "the importance of carrying through with government reforms and continuing the fight against corruption".

In mid-2014, Daesh captured Mosul -- Iraq’s second largest city -- along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

In recent months, the Iraqi army, backed by a 60-nation coalition led by the U.S., has managed to retake much territory. Nevertheless, Daesh remains in control of several parts of the country, including Mosul.

Iraqi troops and peshmerga fighters have recently captured a number of areas on the outskirts of Mosul, which Iraqi officials have vowed to recapture by year’s end.

By Arif Yusuf and Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD

In mid-2014, Daesh captured Mosul -- Iraq’s second largest city -- along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

Iraqi troops and peshmerga fighters have recently captured a number of areas on the outskirts of Mosul, which Iraqi officials have vowed to recapture by year’s end.