MESOP NEWS – PREPARING FOR MOSUL RETAKE – The preparations are aiming to launch the Mosul operation in the near future

  Basnews English – 19 Sep 2016 – ERBIL — As part of the preparations for a large-scale operation to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State (IS) militants, US is stationing more equipment and military supplies just outside the city.

Nearly 100 Humvees, 50 M1 Abrams tanks and scores of other armored vehicles have recently arrived in southern Mosul, from where the government forces are expected to command the Mosul assault, said Amin Shakhani, an Iraqi army officer.

He stated that the US military supplies and equipment, with many more from Baghdad, have arrived at the Qayyara airbase, some 45 kilometers south of Mosul. The airbase is said to be used as the command center during the Mosul operation while it facilitates the logistic operations between Baghdad and the northern frontline.Iraqi government previously vowed to eradicate IS in Mosul before the end of 2016.  Meanwhile, a joint delegation from US and Iraq visited Erbil earlier today, September 19, to review the details of the Mosul assault with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani.The sides emphasized on the necessity of a close coordination between Erbil, Washington DC and Baghdad while they are moving onto Mosul. www.mesop.de