WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Mosul has been the de facto capital of the territory controlled by Daesh in Iraq. Its recapture would limit the terror group’s ability to establish centralized civilian government structures as part of its self-proclaimed Caliphate, according to the Defense Department.
“The geography of Ramadi and Mosul are pretty similar,” Clarke told reporters at the US Department of Defense by video link from Iraq. “In terms of the model, the actual isolation and the terrain, you can almost flip Mosul and Ramadi and you will see something very similar.”
Daesh terrorists blew up the bridges in Ramadi when retreating from the advancing Iraqi forces who were supported by the US-led coalition’s air support.
In addition, Clarke said Iraqi ground forces were able to retake Ramadi without a significant presence of US forces on the ground.
“The confidence that was built in Ramadi by the Iraqi Security Forces and in the aftermath has been fantastic,” he added. If they do this [retake Mosul] on their own, it will be a longer lasting win.”
Nevertheless, Clarke warned that Mosul is about five times larger than Ramadi so the upcoming battle will be much more difficult.
Mosul has been the de facto capital of the territory controlled by Daesh in Iraq. Its recapture would limit the terror group’s ability to establish centralized civilian government structures as part of its self-proclaimed Caliphate, according to the Defense Department.
