https://arab.news/r2kde
- Mustafa Al-Kadhimivisited the city to mark six years since the Daesh occupation
- The new PM vowed Iraqis 'would never let this happen again'
CAIRO: Iraq’s new prime minister arrived in Mosul on Wednesday, as the city marked the sixth anniversary since it was captured by Daesh.
Mustafa Al-Kadhimi was seen standing inside Mosul’s iconic Al-Nuri Mosque, from where the leader of Daesh announced his self-proclaimed “caliphate” in 2014.
Three years later, Daesh blew up the 12th century building, partially destroying it.
“Iraqis will not allow a repetition of what happened in Mosul,” the prime minister, who was appointed last month, said.
During the visit, the first to the city in his tenure, Al-Kadhimi reopened the city’s Al-Hureya Bridge (Bridge of Liberty) and the Civilization Museum in Mosul.
He also met with military commanders and senior officials, saying that “corruption and mismanagement” have contributed to past disasters in Mosul.
Al-Kadhimi also vowed to prevent the militant group from occupying the city again.
“Iraqi forces will continue to carry out military operations to pursue terrorist cells and protect Iraq’s security and stability,” he said.
Daesh swept into Iraq in 2014 capturing cities across northern and central Iraq, including Mosul, the second largest city and the capital of Nineveh province.
During the extremists occupation and the fighting to drive them out, Mosul suffered widespread destruction and extensive loss of life.