Iraqi Defense Minister: We Must Prepare to Assist Two Million People in Mosul

The Iraqi Defense Minister states that most residents of the two million-strong city of Mosul will flee during the assault on this major ISIS stronghold. The United Nations had previously predicted a lower number of residents in Mosul and stated that the aid operation for them would be the 'largest' of its kind in the world this year. Khalid al-Obeidi, the Iraqi Defense Minister, on July 22, prior to a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Defense in Washington, tweeted that military advances must be accompanied by progress in security, political agreements, and economic reforms. Iraqi security forces have recently succeeded in liberating Fallujah from the self-proclaimed Islamic State, but this has not had an immediate impact on Iraq's security situation. Meanwhile, the deadliest terrorist attack in recent years occurred in Baghdad, resulting in nearly 300 casualties. There are currently significant concerns regarding the process of liberating Mosul and ensuring security if the so-called Islamic State is pushed back. The Iraqi Defense Minister states that the Mosul operation requires cooperation and coordination with the Kurdish Peshmerga. According to Reuters, Khalid al-Obeidi expects that most residents of Mosul, estimated at two million, will attempt to leave. This figure is higher than previous UN estimates; despite much lower estimates of Mosul's population, the UN warned that the aid and relief operation for them would be the 'most extensive' of its kind in the world this year. Additionally, the Iraqi Defense Minister mentioned to a small group of journalists in Washington that there must be political and security plans for the post-liberation phase of Mosul. The residents of Mosul and its outskirts include Christians, Shiites, Sunnis, and Iraqis of various sects and ethnicities. Al-Obeidi states that to maintain security in Mosul after its liberation, cooperation with groups allied to the central government is necessary. He added that the decision regarding the use of the 'Popular Mobilization Forces'—mainly Shiite militias supported by Iran—'depends on the military plan and the decision of the Iraqi Joint Command.' This Iraqi official deemed the potential entry of Peshmerga forces into the city itself unlikely. It is still unclear when the operations of Iraqi security forces and the U.S.-led coalition to push back the Islamic State militants from Mosul will begin. Reuters, citing officials and Western diplomats, reported that Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, is likely to issue the order for the attack in October (three months from now).