UK defense secretary cites progress in anti-Daesh fight
UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon says Daesh Takfiri terrorists are being eliminated particularly in Iraq.
Fallon made the remarks at a press conference during a visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where he praised anti-ISIL efforts in Iraq and Syria, both gripped by the Takfiri militancy.
The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since Daesh terrorists began a campaign of terror in the country in June 2014.
''Daesh is being defeated; it is being driven back. It now occupies less than 10 percent of Iraqi territory, that is a huge reduction since the summer 2014 and progress is still being made against the Daesh over in Syria despite the civil war.''
A major stronghold of Daesh in Iraq is currently the city of Mosul, the country’s second largest city, some 400 kilometers north of the capital.
''The Mosul operation is complicated by the size of Mosul and by the complexity of the different groups, the different groupings within Mosul,” Fallon said. "I have been reviewing the plans for the operation with coalition commanders here and at the Ministry of Defense here, and I am confident that Mosul can be liberated in an operation beginning shortly.''
Britain has been part of a US-led aerial campaign against alleged Daesh positions in Iraq that started in August 2014. Many have criticized the ineffectiveness of the raids.
Fallon asserted in his speech that the United Kingdom will continue supporting the Iraqi forces and nation and continued efforts to defeat Daesh.
''The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with the Iraqi people and the Iraqi forces. I am delighted to note the excellent progress that is being made in the campaign to defeat Daesh.''
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