Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is seen on a screen as he speaks via a videoconference during a ministerial summit to hold discussion on the future of Mosul city, post-Islamic State, in Paris, France, October 20, 2016. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
Reuters: Iraqi PM says three months needed to rout Islamic State
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday it would take three months to remove Islamic State from Iraq, as U.S.-backed forces battle to dislodge the militants from Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country.
Abadi had previously pledged the northern city would be retaken by the end of this year. But the operation has been slowed by concern to avoid casualties among civilians, who have mostly stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as was initially expected.
Asked to respond to comments by the commander of a U.S.-led coalition supporting Iraqi forces that it would take as long as two years to eliminate Islamic State and its cells in Iraq and neighboring Syria, Abadi said:
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WNU Editor: The top U.S. General in Iraq has a different opinion .... Top U.S. General In Iraq: 'It Will Take 2 Years To Defeat The Islamic State' (December 26, 2016).
More News On Iraq's Prime Minister Saying That Three More Months Are Needed To Rout The Islamic State
Iraqi PM predicts three months to defeat ISIS in his country -- The Hill
Isis 'will be eliminated from Iraq in three months', says country's Prime Minister -- The Independent
Three more months to retake Mosul, says Abadi -- RUDAW
Abadi: We can eliminate ISIS in 3 months -- Al Arabiya
ISIL’s defeat in Iraq ‘will take another three months’ -- The National
When Will ISIS Be Stopped? Iraqi Prime Minister Says Just Three More Months Until Terror Group Is Eliminated -- International Business Times
2 months?!!? When I first saw that, I thought someone, in this case the Iraqi PM was/either heavily intoxicated, high on something, mad with delusion, or some combination of all of the above. The two year assessment given by the top US general is much more realistic, however, even the assessment of two years is likely to rosy of an assessment. In reality, taking Mosul will probably take allot longer than two years.
ReplyDeleteWhile optimism is fine and even helpful, after all without optimism there would be no way for people to maintain focus during very difficult times, fantasies are not going to be helpful for anyone. Both the two year assessment and the three month assessment are unrealistic, the three month assessment beyond ridiculously so.