U.K. describes Mosul liberation as the 2nd fiercest battle after World War II
U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Gavin Williamson
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Gavin Williamson stressed on Thursday his country’s commitment to maintaining Iraq’s security and stability and completing its reconstruction process as soon as possible.
Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad following a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Erfan al-Hiyali, Williamson said the liberation of Mosul from Islamic State was the second fiercest battle after the World War II.
According to Elaph news website, Williamson praised the great victory achieved by Iraqi troops over Islamic State in Iraq, revealing that the U.K. will pump £10 million to combat terrorism in Iraq over ten years.
Williamson further highlighted that his country trained over 60,000 Iraqi security men and carried out several combat missions as part of its efforts to liberate Iraq from terrorism.
An agreement was signed with the Iraqi defense minister to exchange information and improve military capabilities of the Iraqi forces, he said, adding that his meeting with Hiyali tackled military and security support that could be provided by Britain for Iraq in the post-Islam State era.
Williamson at last called on Iraqi people to close ranks and unite again to reconstruct their country and put an end to the Islamic State threat.
Williamson arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Thursday on a surprise visit.
The U.K. had been a member of the United States-led coalition which backed Iraqi forces in their war against Islamic State militants since the group’s emergence in 2014 and until the declaration of its defeat early December.