Pentagon chief, Iraqi defense minister discuss Mosul operation on phone

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Pentagon chief, Iraqi defense minister discuss Mosul operation on phone
The Secretary of U.S. Defense James Mattis and Iraqi Defense Minister Arfan al-Hayali discussed in a phone call on Wednesday preparations for liberation of western Mosul from the Islamic State (IS) militants, the spokesperson

 of the US Department of Defense Jeff Davis said in a press release on the day.

Mattis has congratulated Hayali on his new position and has praised the Iraqi people for their efforts

 and “hard-won gains against IS,” Sputnik quoted the spokesperson as saying.

Davis also said that the two officials have affirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation and

 partnership in the fight against IS in Iraq.

The operation for liberating Iraqi’s second largest city Mosul from IS continues as the Iraq forces,

 backed by the US-led coalition, are now focusing on the western parts of the city.

In recent statements made by the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi government

 expects the western parts to be liberated in the near future, but the forces will advance

 causally putting the civilian’s lives as a main priority.