Iraqi official says troop shortage delaying Mosul offensive

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

MOSUL, Iraq (AFP) - A lack of forces has delayed the start of what Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has vowed will be a "decisive battle" against Al-Qaeda in the war-torn city of Mosul, an official said on Thursday.

The operation, which two weeks ago officials said would start within "days" is now only likely to be launched in the coming weeks, said Khorso Korane, deputy governor of northern Nineveh province of which Mosul is the capital.

"The delay in the start of the military operation in Mosul is because of a lack of troops," Korane told AFP.

"Since the prime minister came to Mosul (on February 2), Iraqi troops have been preparing the security operation but we still don't have enough troops. It is possible that in the next weeks we will start our operation," he said.

"When the security plan starts it will reach the Syrian border."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080221/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestqaedamosul