Iraqi army tasked with securing western Mosul

By Mohamed Walid and Serhad Shaker

BAGHDAD (AA) - The Iraqi army will soon take over responsibility for security in western Mosul from Iraqi Federal Police forces, according to security officials.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Tuesday, Luai al-Gharrawi, commander of Iraq’s 5th Federal Police Battalion, said an army battalion would soon replace his force in western Mosul.

Federal Police units, he added, had already begun to withdraw from the area for redeployment elsewhere.

According to Army Captain Abdul Salam al-Jabouri, the army’s 20th Battalion would likely be given responsibility for local security in the city.

“The 5th Federal Police Battalion, meanwhile, will be redeployed to the northern city of Kirkuk to maintain security there,” he told Anadolu Agency.

Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group last August following a fierce nine-month campaign.