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Abadi, Barzani agree to cooperate on Mosul battle, heal mutual rifts

Thursday, 29 September 2016 5:23 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 29 September 2016 7:38 PM ]

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (R) and President of Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Masoud Barzani speak at a joint press conference in Baghdad on September 29, 2016.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and leader of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region Masoud Barzani have reached a consensus to settle disagreements and join forces for the upcoming operation to liberate the city of Mosul.

The development came after a meeting between Abadi and Barzani in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Thursday.

Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), has traveled to Baghdad at the head of a delegation, comprising members of four political parties, to hold talks with officials and political leaders. It is Barzani’s first trip to Baghdad over the last five years.

During a joint press conference after the meeting, the Iraqi premier said that the army had made final preparations for retaking Mosul, the last remaining bastion for the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in the north of the country.

Abadi also described the Mosul offensive as extremely important and noted that the army forces, supported by the Popular Mobilization Units as well as tribal and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, will score a victory there as was the case with other Iraqi cities and towns.

Members of the Popular Mobilization Units flash the victory sign during a military parade on the outskirts of Najaf, Iraq, September 24, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Time is ripe for beginning the Mosul battle, but its exact date would be announced after all troops are fully ready, he added, stressing that it would be the largest operation to save the lives of innocent residents of the city.

The Iraqi prime minister further stressed that all troops participating in the Mosul offensive are from Iraq and no foreigners would be among them.

The US-led coalition would only support the operation, he went on to say.

Barzani, for his part, expressed his “full” support for Abadi and highlighted the need for resolving differences between Baghdad and Erbil.

He said eradication of terrorism and purging Iraq of criminals is a common priority.

The Kurdish leader also expressed his satisfaction with the level of Baghdad-Erbil cooperation to clear Mosul of terrorists and said that Iraqi army commanders and Peshmerga forces have coordinated a plan for the full liberation of the city.

He further said that an agreement was reached with Abadi to resolve all problems between Baghdad and Erbil in the fields of economy and oil.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have witnessed gruesome violence ever since Daesh terrorists mounted an offensive in June 2014. The Iraqi army and their allies have been engaged in joint operations to retake militant-held areas.

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