MESOP LATEST “THIS AFTERNOON” – Pause in Mosul Operation Is to Fortify New Liberated Areas

  Mosul operation is long-term plan that needs to be implemented in separate stages  

  Basnews English – 30/10/2016 – 16:41 –  ERBIL — The Peshmerga Ministry of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has confirmed a pause in the Mosul assault, saying it is to fortify the new front lines and clear those areas recently freed from the Islamic State (IS) militants.

“After any [military] operations, the advancing force reviews its plan, establishes new fronts and redraws the plan for further advancement ,” said Halgord Hikmat, a spokesperson for the Peshmerga ministry. He told BasNews that the Iraqi army is now rearranging itself on the outskirt of Mosul, and new phases of the assault will begin soon.Hikmat further explained that the full liberation of Mosul may not be a fast-concluding operation and it requires a long-term plan that is implemented in separate stages.

Spokesperson for the Operation Inherent Resolve Col. John Dorrian, said on Friday that the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army will pause the Mosul operation to asses their achievements against the Islamic State (IS) and ensure rear areas are cleared completely. “They’ve seen some tactics, techniques and procedures by ISIS that have led them to believe it’s in their interest to pause the advance in some areas to do some back-clearing and make sure their flanks and their rear are clear of ISIS.” He said the move was not unexpected and did not represent a shift in the operation’s strategy. “After a couple days of refit, resupply, repositioning, I think they’ll be moving forward again”.  www.mesop.de