MOSCOW. July 10 (Interfax) - In connection with the Iraqi authorities' declaration on the end to an operation of seizing Mosul the Russian Foreign Ministry states its support to actions undertaken by this country's authorities, which are aimed at restoration of state integrity and highlights that the progress in inter-Iraqi national reconciliation process promotes fomenting of successes in the fight against terrorism.
"Moscow backs Iraqi authorities' actions, which are aimed at reinstating sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. We are confident that the progress in inter-Iraqi national reconciliation process taking into consideration the interests of all ethno-confessional groups in the country will reinforce successes in the combating of terrorism," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website on Monday.
The Iraqi authorities declared an end to an operation of seizing Mosul, the ministry said. Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has issued the relevant statement from the liberated city, where he arrived as the supreme commander-in-chief of this country's Armed Forces to congratulate servicemen and militiamen in person.
"And although sporadic pockets of Islamists' armed resistance are still in place, the ISIL positions [a terrorist group outlawed in Russia] in Iraq suffered a crushing blow. Elimination of terrorists' presence all across the country lies ahead," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Mosul's takeover became possible owning to valor and stamina of Iraqi military, people's militia and Kurdish Peshmerga units. It showed the ability of the friendly Iraq's government and its people to combat terrorist challenges via joint efforts," the ministry said.
"Mosul's seizure had a high price," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"According to different data, the Iraqi law enforcement agencies' losses amounted to about 30,000 people. Civilian residents were exposed to hard ordeals. During the battles for the city about 7,000 local residents were killed as a result of ISIL actions and the U.S.-led anti-ISIL coalition's bombings. A little less than a million [900,000] Mosul residents turned into refugees," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.