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Iraq launches radio broadcast to Mosul residents ahead of offensive

Xinhua, October 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iraq launched a new radio station on Tuesday to help the residents of the city of Mosul to be safe during the upcoming major offensive aimed to free the city from Islamic State (IS) militants, the official television reported.

The radio station based in the town of Qayyara, some 55 km south of Mosul, will give instructions to the residents to guide them to safe zones and possible safe exit routes that will be decided by the security forces during the battles to free the city from the extremist IS militants, the state-run channel said.

The Radio of the Republic of Iraq will also provide emergency phone numbers for the residents to call if they need help, the channel said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi inaugurated the new radio station and sent a message to the people of Mosul saying "be ready, the promise (of liberation) is coming closer. Today you are closer than ever to get rid of oppression and injustice and of Daesh (IS group)."

Abadi called on the residents of Mosul to cooperate with the security forces, like the residents of the other freed cities and towns did, according to a statement issued by his office.

Mosul, about 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, is the second largest city in Iraq. The city has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. Endit