Operation to Liberate Mosul from ISIS 'Will Begin in the Coming Days'

Turkish news agencies reported on Friday, October 15, that the operation to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State (ISIS) will begin in the coming days, while the international coalition led by the United States has intensified airstrikes against the group's positions around the city. According to Reuters, Turkish officials in talks with the United States and Iraqi sources announced this news. No further details have been released yet. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that the international coalition, while preparing Iraqi forces to retake Mosul, has intensified airstrikes on ISIS positions in the city and its surroundings. The coalition stated that in the past two weeks, it has bombed ISIS positions around Mosul more than 50 times. Colonel John Dorian, a spokesman for the coalition, said, 'We have intensified our attacks against the city of Mosul and its surroundings.' Iraqi forces are advancing towards the city from the south and east, which has been under ISIS control for two years. While Qayyarah airbase in southern Mosul has been designated as the main operations hub, military convoys of the Iraqi army, including special forces, have been seen moving from the east towards Mosul. General Firas Bashar, stationed at a military base in Makhmour, stated that 'all troop movements are related to the operation (to liberate) the city of Mosul.' This operation is expected to be one of the most complex military operations of the Iraqi army. Iraqi forces and the international coalition have stated that more than 30,000 soldiers are needed to retake Mosul. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his country's army intends to participate in the Mosul operation, and otherwise, 'Plan B' will be implemented. According to Reuters, he expressed Turkey's willingness to participate in this operation in the city of Konya. However, Erdogan did not provide details about the alternative strategy. In recent days, Turkey has had a heated verbal conflict with Baghdad over the presence of its forces in Iraqi territory and participation in the Mosul operation. Ankara is concerned that the presence of Shiite militias in this operation could lead to retaliation against them and a new wave of refugees pouring into Turkey. In this context, Turkey and Saudi Arabia oppose the use of Shiite militias in the Mosul operation. The U.S. has stated that foreign military forces can only be in Iraq with the permission of the Iraqi government. The verbal conflict between Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi and Erdogan over the presence of Turkish forces in the Mosul liberation operation continues. Turkey has warned that mistakes in the Mosul liberation operation could lead to a flood of refugees. Erdogan has advised the Iraqi Prime Minister to better understand his position.