Turkish Consul: People of Mosul must liberate their city not outsiders
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Speaking at an event in the Kurdish capital Erbil Turkish Consul General Mehmet Akif Inam said his country’s position is that the people of Mosul themselves should liberate their city from the Islamic State (ISIS) and not any specific ethnic or religious group, particularly the Shiite militia.
“People of Mosul should take part in the operation not one certain ethnic or sect,” Inam said on Wednesday at an event organized by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI). “Mosul is very unique in Iraq it’s very diverse with ethnicities, sects and cultures, the locals should liberate Mosul not outsiders.”
Inam said that Turkey closely follows the situation in Iraq and that Ankara is doing its best to help its neighbor.
“From the very beginning we are ready and eager to expand our help and assistance to the people of Iraq and in Mosul as well,” Inam added.
The Turkish consul general said that the Iraqi government, Erbil and the coalition forces of which Turkey is a member are discussing the final operation to unseat ISIS from Mosul.
He suggested meanwhile that his government supports a decision but the Nineveh provincial council that the Shiite militia known as Hashd al-Shaabi must not participate in the battle of Mosul.
“Recently the Mosul provincial council made a decision that Hashd Al-Shaabi should not take part in the Mosul operation and we respect that decision,” said Inam, whose country has trained members of a Sunni forces comprised of former soldiers and policemen from Mosul known as Hashd al-Watani.
The Turkish diplomat went on to say that in order to restore stability in post-ISIS Mosul it is crucial there will be an inclusive local government.
“There should be inclusive government post ISIS in Mosul,” he said. “It’s very important to include all the components and respect all the different voices, then is possible to have security and stability in Mosul.”
“People of Mosul should take part in the operation not one certain ethnic or sect,” Inam said on Wednesday at an event organized by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI). “Mosul is very unique in Iraq it’s very diverse with ethnicities, sects and cultures, the locals should liberate Mosul not outsiders.”
Inam said that Turkey closely follows the situation in Iraq and that Ankara is doing its best to help its neighbor.
“The Mosul operation has many dimensions, not only the military one but political, economic and humanitarian,” he told Rudaw. “In all fields we are trying to do our best as a neighbor, what we are doing is in close coordination with the federal government in Baghdad, KRG and people of Mosul.”
“From the very beginning we are ready and eager to expand our help and assistance to the people of Iraq and in Mosul as well,” Inam added.
The Turkish consul general said that the Iraqi government, Erbil and the coalition forces of which Turkey is a member are discussing the final operation to unseat ISIS from Mosul.
He suggested meanwhile that his government supports a decision but the Nineveh provincial council that the Shiite militia known as Hashd al-Shaabi must not participate in the battle of Mosul.
“Recently the Mosul provincial council made a decision that Hashd Al-Shaabi should not take part in the Mosul operation and we respect that decision,” said Inam, whose country has trained members of a Sunni forces comprised of former soldiers and policemen from Mosul known as Hashd al-Watani.
The Turkish diplomat went on to say that in order to restore stability in post-ISIS Mosul it is crucial there will be an inclusive local government.
“There should be inclusive government post ISIS in Mosul,” he said. “It’s very important to include all the components and respect all the different voices, then is possible to have security and stability in Mosul.”