"The Iraqi Army backed by the coalition has started the offensive to retake Mosul. France is taking part in the offensive. Considering the set targets, I, together with my Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim Jaafari will chair the meeting on a high level to stabilize the situation in Mosul," he said.
According to the French foreign minister, the representatives of two dozen of countries and organizations, which are ready to assist Iraq, will take part in this meeting slated for October 20. The participants of the meeting are expected to discuss the protection of Iraqis, delivery of humanitarian assistance and work out a plan to normalize the situation in Mosul and its outskirts.
In the early hours of Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the military operation to retake Iraqi Mosul from the militants from Daesh terrorist group, banned in Russia. According to local media, about 30,000 Iraqi soldiers and 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are taking part in the operation, backed by air strikes carried out by the US-led international coalition.
