The Assyrian Iraqi MP Yonadam Kanna, Secretary General of Zowaa, tells about the on ongoing liberation of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains. He denounces clearly the statement of Kurdish Rudaw of yesterday (October 17) that NPU would be a part of Peshmerga. Rudaw as a major media company should not spread such lies, he says and emphasizes that NPU is an autonom force not affiliated to Peshmerga in any way.

The forces to liberate the Nineveh Plains have not faced any resistance from ISIS worth mentioning. The retaken Assyrian towns are going to be cleaned of explosives by special Iraqi forces as soon as possible, before the residents can return home. The city of Mosul is attacked from three directions but not from the West. That has created rumors saying that ISIS fighters are allowed to flee to Raqqa, probably to fight against the Syrian regime. Mr. Kanna says the reason for not attacking from the West side of Mosul is two things:

1. The military forces from Iraqi army and Peshmerga were de facto controlling North, South and East before the operation began.
2. It is true that ISIS got the opportunity to run away in order not to destroy the infrastructure and the buildings by bombs. That would also minimize civilian casualties.