ERBIL, Iraq
The northern Iraqi city of Mosul, which fell into ISIL hands in June, can be recaptured "within months", the city's ousted governor Atheel al-Nujaifi claims.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview in Erbil, where he fled after Iraqi forces failed to defend the city, al-Nujaifi said; "saving Mosul will not last for years as Americans claim." Al-Nujaifi added; "We will retake the city witihin months."
The governor claims that a group of 4,500 armed men can be called on to fight against ISIL for the city, where small, local groups are already clashing with the insurgents.
"The people have realized ISIL's true face and started to get armed. Only five percent of Mosul people support ISIL," said al-Nujaifi, stating the low public support can lead up to a recapture if ISIL opponents can have continued military support.
Al-Nujaifi also said the U.S-led coalition's airstrikes targeting the weakening of ISIL have been effective. Two hundred millitants have been killed in the last couple of days, he stated.
The U.S and its allies conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on main ISIL positions to halt the group's further advance and help the local powers take on the group.
The governor said, according to information from activists, the terrorist group holds up to 3,000 Yezidis as captives.
www.aa.com.tr/en
