Pinoys in Iraq urged to stay indoors amid ops to retake Mosul

The Philippine Embassy in Iraq on Monday reminded Filipinos in Baghdad to be vigilant as the government and allied forces started operations to reclaim the city of Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

READ: Battle to retake Mosul from Isis has begun—Iraq PM

In an advisory, the embassy called on Filipinos in Baghdad to avoid public places.

“In view of the impending operations to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State, the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad advises our kababayans in Iraq to remain vigilant, stay indoors, and avoid unnecessary movements,” the embassy said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday announced on state television that operations to liberate Mosul had started.

ISIS seized Mosul in June 2014 amid  local resentment toward Shiite-dominated security forces.

Filipinos who need assistance may call the embassy through these numbers:  773.569.9562 751.616.7838 750.656.1740. RAM/rga