France welcomes Iraqi push against terrorist positions in W. Mosul

PARIS, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- France on Monday welcomed the start of a push by Iraqi forces into the western part of Mosul, where so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorists are still holding a number of areas.
Despite early gains, the battle for the western part of Iraq's second-largest city is likely to be difficult, given the entrenched positions of the IS forces and also the presence of a large civilian population that has been unable to leave Mosul.
"France welcomes the February 19 announcement by Iraq Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi on the engagement of (military) operations for retaking the western part of Mosul," the French Foreign Ministry said.
The statement praised the "effectiveness and courage" of the Iraqi forces when they retook and stabilised the situation last month in eastern Mosul.
"This (new) offensive should allow for the city to be freed from the hold Daesh (IS) has put on it and also permit a follow up on the significant progress noted since the start of operations against the terrorist organisation in Iraq," Paris said.
France vowed that, with its partners in the Coalition against so-called Islamic State, support would continue to flow to the Iraqi forces in this "second phase of the operation for the liberation of Mosul." In addition to providing air strikes against IS, France has supplied weapons in the war against the terrorist group and also deployed artillery batteries to help in the battle for Mosul.
France on Monday also recalled the vulnerability of civilian populations in Mosul and urged that their protection be assured in line with international humanitarian law. French aid will also continue to the UN humanitarian agencies working in the region, the statement remarked.
In a bilateral meeting this weekend on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault met with the Iraqi Prime Minister and reiterated French support in the fight against terrorism, but also for his efforts to get national reconciliation, which is vital for lasting peace in Iraq, the French Foreign Ministry said. (end) jk.mt