Security Council Press Statement on Liberation of Mosul

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Liu Jieyi (China):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement by the Iraqi authorities of the liberation of Mosul, which marks an important milestone in the global effort to defeat Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and a significant step in the battle to rid Iraq of ISIL, and commended Prime Minister [Haider] al-Abadi, the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi people for the successful effort.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to all those who have suffered, and to the families of those who have perished in this fight against ISIL’s barbarity, and urged justice for ISIL’s victims and survivors of its crimes, in Iraq and across the region.  As the Iraqi security forces liberate the remaining pockets of ISIL-controlled territory, the members of the Security Council reiterated that all parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including, as applicable, human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly with respect to the protection of the civilian population.

The members of the Security Council recognized the Government of Iraq’s ongoing partnership with the United Nations to stabilize liberated areas across Iraq and called on all Iraqis to continue to work towards this important task, including through redoubled focus on national reconciliation and the safe and voluntary return or reintegration of the millions displaced, and urged accountability for all violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.