“The Iraqi government forces are winning battles against ISIS, and before Mosul we scored major victories in Fallujah, Tikrit, Baiji and Ramadi,” the ambassador said, using another term for the IS group. “Our forces turned from defensive to offensive, and ISIS is being defeated and on a retreat.”

Compared to 2014, when Mosul fell to IS, two-thirds of its territory has been reclaimed by the Iraqi Army, he noted, adding the allied forces had penetrated the city’s east and were advancing west.

Terrorized under IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city in the north, has been declared the seat of the IS “caliphate.” It has remained IS’ last stronghold in Iraq, as other dominions across the country have capitulated under sustained allied offensives. 

“Local sources have testified that ISIS has carried out acts of cruelty beyond human comprehension,” the diplomat said, citing reports of beheading, stoning, female sexual trafficking and using children in suicide bombing.

According to the embassy, most residents are out of work, cash-strapped, malnourished, dispossessed of properties and taxed flagrantly by IS. The critical responsibility is to evacuate civilians, as the terror organization has used them as human shields against advancing assaults.

“Fighting ISIS and protecting civilians at the same time make our operations difficult,” al-Batti said. “The 700,000 to 800,000 displaced persons also place heavy burdens on not only Iraq, but the whole world. The world needs a united stance to help us.”

Calling IS a menace to the entire international community, the envoy said that Korea could not be assured of its safety. 

According to Dominik Stillhart, director of operations worldwide for the International Committee of the Red Cross, recapturing Mosul could “take months,” as more and more civilians are trapped between the front lines. The New York Times reported that the high toll on civilians coming from thick, urban combat “is fueling concern that the campaign could become a quagmire.”

Mosul, a city with a history of over six millennia, was the ancient capital of the Assyrian dynasty in the 11th century BC. Nearing borders with Turkey and Syria, it connected Europe and the Middle East on the ancient Silk Road.

Al-Batti, who grew up in Mosul, said his hometown had large petroleum reserves, mining deposits, popular hot springs, hydroelectric plants and well-connected highways and railroads. However, IS’ reign of terror has wreaked havoc on the city, and the original population of 2.5 million -- including Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Yazidis, Assyrians, Turkmen and Shabak -- has been reduced to 1.5 million.

“The terrorist organization destroyed everything in its path -- people, nature, civilization and history,” the ambassador lamented. “They mauled ancient relics and Christian monasteries. By wrecking the oil wells, they caused great harm to the environment.”

Asserting that Iraq is rich in natural resources, the diplomat said: “Our government is heavily burdened with fighting this war, but once peace sets in, we can promise that foreign governments and partners that helped us will establish closer relations with Iraqis of the future.”

Seoul has voiced its united support for Iraq, pouring in millions of dollars through the United Nations and the International Committee of Red Cross, he added.

“What we critically need is humanitarian support, such as makeshift health care facilities, sanitary facilities, water and food,” al-Batti said. “With falling oil prices, our government is having a hard time raising necessary funds to support civilians. But what counts is not the amount of support. It’s about showing how Korea shares Iraq’s pain, and will stand by the Iraqi people through thick and thin.”

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)