Iraqi Defense Minister: ISIS Leaders Have Left Mosul for Syria

The Iraqi Defense Minister states that leaders of the so-called Islamic State in Mosul are leaving the area with their families ahead of the armed forces' attack to reclaim the city. Khalid al-Obeidi told the state television on August 9 that gathered information indicates growing financial disputes among ISIS members. According to al-Obeidi, 'many leaders and families of ISIS have sold their homes and are heading towards Syria, some have even attempted to reach the [Kurdistan] region.' Iraqi security forces and government-backed militias have liberated the city of Fallujah near Baghdad from ISIS control. They are now surrounding Mosul and preparing to reclaim this major city, which is considered the 'main base' of the Islamic State in Iraq. It is still unclear when the operations of the Iraqi security forces, supported by the US-led coalition, will begin. However, Western officials and diplomats have indicated that Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, is likely to issue the attack order in October. In his interview with state television, the Iraqi Defense Minister again warned about the situation of civilians and their displacement during the assault on Mosul. Al-Obeidi stated, 'We expect that when the operation begins, a large group of Mosul residents will be displaced. The minimum figure we have in mind is half a million.' Previously, Iraq had warned that the number of displaced persons could reach two million. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also warned about the displacement of around one million residents of this city in the coming weeks and months. It is estimated that several thousand Islamic State militants remain in Mosul. Reuters reports that this number is likely less than ten thousand. According to Reuters, the Iraqi government is expected to mobilize around 30,000 personnel to reclaim Mosul, with support from the US-led coalition.