Ankara intends to join an operation to liberate Mosul from the militants of the Islamic State, said the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reports the Reuters. If Baghdad and Washington decline the assistance of the Turkish militaries, Erdogan will launch "Plan B". However, he did not specify the content of that plan.

On October 13, the spokesperson to the Turkish President Ibrahim Kalin said that Ankara is afraid of any possible negative consequences of the liberation of Mosul – hundred thousands of refugees, who might move to the Turkish border. He expressed dissatisfaction that the Kurdish groups are granted a significant role in the battle for Mosul.

Earlier, in September, the US commander of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Stephen Townsend announced, that the next stage to get Mosul liberated begins. Mosul is the second largest city of Iraq. It has been under the control of the IS since summer of 2014.