Abadi Declares Battle for Mosul “Approaching”

Iraqi Prime Minister said on Saturday that the battle to liberate Mosul city from the occupation of the so-called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) terrorist group has became “imminent”.

“The next step to liberate the city has became imminent after the liberation of important regions recently,” Abadi was quoted by Iraqi official TV as saying.

“Currently, preparations are in full swing, and Iraqi forces are achieving victories on the ground.”

In mid-2014, ISIL captured Mosul — Iraq’s second largest city — along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

In recent months, the Iraqi army has managed to retake much territory.