Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has held with (a) the Iraqi government and (b) other governments in that region on blocking the route between Mosul and the Syrian border which Daesh forces could use to escape Mosul.

The Secretary of State for Defence has met his Iraqi counterpart and Coalition partners, and has discussed the operations to defeat Daesh. The Iraqi-led operation to recapture Mosul is a vital part of the overall campaign against Daesh in the region. Coalition partners are aware of the importance of a comprehensive operation that will take all action necessary to degrade and defeat Daesh.