Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 6 February 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Monday, 13 February 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Islamic State: Military Intervention

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress has been made on steps to retake Mosul from Daesh.

Answer: Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi announced on 23 January that East Mosul had been cleared of Daesh. Preparations are now underway for the next phase, clearing Daesh from West Mosul. We welcome progress made by Iraqi forces in Eastern Mosul which marks another step towards defeating Daesh. Clearing Daesh from Mosul, after two years of brutal rule, is the greatest challenge that Iraq's Security Forces have faced to date. We have always been clear that this is a fight that will take time and patience.

Secondary information