ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraq is unlikely to undertake an offensive to recapture the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State this year because its armed forces are not ready for the task, the Kurdistan region’s deputy prime minister said in an interview.

“I don’t think the Mosul offensive could happen this year,” Qubad Talabani told Reuters on Thursday. “I don’t think the Iraqi armed forces are ready and I don’t think the (U.S.-led) coalition is confident in the ability of everyone to get ready in time for an offensive this year.”

(Reporting by Isabel Coles; Editing by Louise Ireland)