President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani said yesterday that Peshmerga forces had freed 200 kilometres of land around Mosul from Daesh, warning that the city would not be another Aleppo once the militant group is wiped out of the area, AlKhaleejOnline.com reported.
During a visit to his forces to Al-Khazar area, east of Mosul, where 4,000 troops are stationed, Barzani stressed on the importance to have an “understanding” between the Turkish and Iraqi governments regarding the participation of Turkish forces in the battle for Mosul.
“Today is historical,” he said, “this day came after many meetings were held to reach an agreement about the Mosul battle,” noting that the first phase of the joint operation to liberate Mosul.
He said that there is a “full cooperation” with Baghdad regarding this battle, noting that the operating forces are achieving “big successes”. Barzani added that this is the first time that Iraqi and Peshmerga forces fight together.
Meanwhile, he reassured the residents of Mosul that they and their properties would be safe during the battle. “We do not accept to turn Mosul to a new Aleppo,” he said.
Kurdish cooperation with Baghdad would continue even after Daesh were forced out of Mosul, he explained. “The Iraqi forces can achieve victories and we are ready to cooperate with them,” he said.
Where is Mosul?
Mosul is the second biggest city in Iraq. It is located in the north of the country.
What is happening there?
Since June 2014 it has been under the control of Daesh.
What’s happening now?
Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by an international coalition which is led by the US, are battling to recapture the city from Daesh.