© Sputnik/ Maksim Blinov
According to Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, chief of the Russian General Staff Main Operational Directorate, Russia is monitoring the situation in Mosul. There has been no evidence of the US-led coalition's significant successes in liberating the city from the Daesh militants.
"The Russian Aerospace Forces are monitoring the situation on the Syria-Iraq border around the clock using drones and other reconnaissance devices. The Russian planes are on duty in the sky, ready for immediate strikes against terrorists," he told a briefing.
On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of a military operation to recapture Mosul from Daesh, a jihadist group outlawed in Russia, with the help of airstrikes by the US-led international coalition. Ambassador Sanaei said the Iranian government stood by Iraq and believed a strong government in Baghdad benefited the entire region.
"The outflow of Daesh militants from Iraq to Syria continues. According to our information, some 300 Daesh militants have arrived in Deir ez-Zor from Mosul," Rudskoi said.
Comment: But the Pentagon doesn't want Russia's help: Can't be seen as working together: Pentagon rules out Russia's participation in US-led coalition's Raqqa operation
And for more analysis: Upping the Ante in Syria ... via Mosul