The Ministry had predicted a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe in Mosul – Interfax

Moscow. 18 Oct. INTERFAX.RU – Operation of the US-led coalition to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul threatens a humanitarian catastrophe, said the official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.

“There (in Mosul – if) a humanitarian disaster is approaching full. Has anyone figured out, where will the refugees, in what quantity, who will be able to take?” she said the TV channel “Russia-1″ (VGTRK).

“what is around is almost scorched earth, and we know what she burned. Who will take responsibility for the civilian population, which wants to leave this place?”, – said Zakharov.

She also expressed the opinion that the accusations against Russia in the bombing of civilians in Aleppo, Syria could be a “precursor of what is to be done in respect of Mosul”.

UN warns

Earlier, the representative of the office of the UN high Commissioner for refugees in Iraq Bruno Geddo said that the operation to liberate Mosul from is militants (banned in Russia) could turn into a big disaster.

“the Operation could become one of the largest man-made disaster for many, many years”, – quotes Agency The Associated Press of his word.

According to Geddo, during the liberation of Mosul from ISIS, over 1 million people could be displaced.

March on Mosul

the Attack on Mosul began on Monday, October 17, as announced by the Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi. In it take part about 30 thousand soldiers of the government troops and Kurdish militia. The operation is under air and ground supporting Pro-American forces of the international coalition against ISIS.

during the first day of the operation, according to representatives of the Kurdish militia, liberated the territory of 200 square kilometers. The Pentagon said that “the campaign will be difficult and will take some time.”

U.S. defense Secretary Ashton Carter said earlier that “the United States and other members of the international coalition is prepared to support Iraqi security forces, Peshmerga soldiers and the Iraqi people in the upcoming difficult battle,” and expressed confidence that their “Iraqi partners prevail against the common enemy and liberate Mosul and the remainder of Iraq from hatred and cruelty.”

Mosul is under the control of ISIS since June 2014. Earlier, the UN warned that the consequences of its release may relate to 1.2 million people living in and around the city.