This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/oct/17/mosul-battle-iraq-isis-islamic-state-peshmerga-latest

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Battle for Mosul: Isis stronghold under attack from Iraqi and Kurdish forces – latest news Battle for Mosul: Isis stronghold under attack from Iraqi and Kurdish forces – latest news
(35 minutes later)
1.43pm BST
13:43
The aid agencies War Child and World Vision are also sounding the alert over the risk posed to civilians by the battle for Mosul, echoing the earlier warning from Save the Children that half a million children could be in the firing line.
World Vision is also raising concerns that identification documents may have been confiscated during ISIL occupation, which could lead to issues with registration. Separating fathers from the family for protracted periods during screening may also make families for vulnerable, the charity has warned.
Khalil Sleiman, World Vision’s Response Manager for northern Iraq, said:
We’re already supporting half a million people who fled Mosul when it was first occupied over two years ago. We’re now poised for another massive influx of children and families who will have been through horrific experiences most of us could never imagine.
They will arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back and will be thirsty, hungry, and need urgent medical attention.
War Child says it is poised to support thousands of children in locations around Mosul with specialist services including learning spaces, trained education staff and mobile child protection teams. However, it says that more funding.
Sameena Gul, War Child UK’s country director in Iraq, said:
Our staff are working with children who are dealing with the impact of conflict in Iraq every day. The boys and girls we support can face a range of problems, from long-term psychological trauma, sexual assault, recruitment to militias and disruption to education. War Child will be dealing with thousands of children fleeing the fighting in Mosul. It is crucial the international community therefore provides the necessary support to ensure these children are protected from harm.
1.36pm BST
13:36
Families do not have clear routes of escape from Mosul, aid workers have warned, leaving thousands at risk of being caught in the fighting.
Aleksandar Milutinovic, Iraq director for the International Rescue Committee, said that those civilians who do try to flee will run a gauntlet of snipers, landmines and booby traps, as well as oil burning in trenches around the city.
And even if they do escape, there is not enough capacity in refugee camps and aid centres to assist them, he added. In a statement, Milutinovic went on:
It is estimated that as many as 200,000 people could flee from the city in these first weeks, though there are currently only 60,000 tents available in seven emergency camps. In total, up to 1 million people could flee their homes in search of safety during the military operation, with an estimated 700,000 requiring shelter, food, water and other vital aid.
With emergency camps not ready for the large numbers likely to flee, the IRC anticipates that many people will find their way to abandoned buildings, schools and mosques in the towns and villages around Mosul. The IRC’s mobile response teams are ready to reach 60,000 of the most vulnerable, whether they flee to the north, east or south of the city. The IRC teams will provide $420 in cash to 5,000 families (30,000 people) so they can buy food, pay rent and buy clothes, blankets and cooking utensils. Another 30,000 will be given essential items, provided with legal support or identified as needing specialist care. With more funding the IRC could increase the reach of its response to 90,000 people.
After escaping the city, men and boys over the age of 14 will be security screened. This may take several days and it will be critical conditions are suitable, and people are provided with food, water, medical care and adequate communication on the process. The IRC will be one of the few aid agencies present at these centres, helping to ensure that the most vulnerable are identified, prioritised and, if necessary, given medical care.
1.26pm BST
13:26
Mona Mahmood
My colleague Mona Mahmood has conducted a phone interview with Hassan Al-A’laf, Deputy of Mosul governor who is in charge of supporting aid for civilians at the left bank of Mosul. He is at the Mosul Dam military operations centre. He says:
I’m in charge of supporting aid for civilians at the left bank of Mosul. We deal with displaced families and Mosul infrastructure. We support the army with potential residential sites in Mosul that should not be targeted to avoid killing innocent people. I’m a university professor, I teach chemistry at the College of Agriculture and Frosts in Mosul.
I left Mosul the day Isis took over the city. I have not seen my relatives who are still inside Mosul for two years. I just talked to a head of a tribe in Mosul, he lives at the western bank of the the city. They are so glad for the beginning of the battle for Mosul liberation. The battle started yesterday day at 2am Iraq time.
People are desperately observing the marching of the Iraqi forces to Mosul. The mobile network is too weak and people are so scared to talk. The head of the tribe told me that all the city now is in a state of alert and he claimed that some of the Isis families are fleeing the city. Some of the roads are blocked by concrete walls, caravans and damaged cars to stop the progress of the city.
It is too early to talk about the liberation of Mosul city, all the battles now and bombardment is against the deterrence wall set up by Isis at the suburb of the city like Alhamdaniyia district, AlHamam, Britla, AlGuwair and Ba’ashiqa.
The battle now is at the surrounding areas of Mosul, it might take a few weeks to get to the city centre. We have set up camps for the people who would flee the city, however, up till now, we did not receive any. None of the people are fleeing outside Mosul but they are moving from the west bank to east bank which is relatively safer. None of the tribal militia formed by the tribes of Mosul is taking part in the battle so far. There is a tribal militia at the southern part of Mosul, they are holding the ground. Their job is to keep the security inside the city after the battles.
There are six axes for the battle of Mosul liberation, two axes from the southeastern part of Mosul Al-Khaziq and Ba’ashiqa where the battles are going on now, other axes are still quiet like the northern one in Aski Mosul, Zumar, Mosul Dam and Telkief.We think at night the army would march to these three axes. I have not seen any of the Shia militia here, they might take part in Telafer liberation.
Updated
at 1.28pm BST
12.25pm BST12.25pm BST
12:2512:25
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, says Turkey is determined to be part of the operation to recapture Mosul, and possible talks on the city’s future.The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, says Turkey is determined to be part of the operation to recapture Mosul, and possible talks on the city’s future.
Associated Press reports that Erdoğan has reiterated Turkey’s concerns that the operation could lead to sectarian clashes. He also maintained that efforts in Iraq to keep Turkey away from the Mosul offensive were linked to Ankara’s efforts to prevent any possible demographic change in the region.Associated Press reports that Erdoğan has reiterated Turkey’s concerns that the operation could lead to sectarian clashes. He also maintained that efforts in Iraq to keep Turkey away from the Mosul offensive were linked to Ankara’s efforts to prevent any possible demographic change in the region.
Turkey has been warning about possible sectarian clashes in Mosul if the majority Sunni region were placed under Shia militia control. Erdoğan says that once Mosul is liberated, Turkey cannot allow “a Sunni-Shia strife” in the city.Turkey has been warning about possible sectarian clashes in Mosul if the majority Sunni region were placed under Shia militia control. Erdoğan says that once Mosul is liberated, Turkey cannot allow “a Sunni-Shia strife” in the city.
He insisted Turkey “will be in the (Mosul) operation and we will be at the table. It is not possible for us to stay outside”.He insisted Turkey “will be in the (Mosul) operation and we will be at the table. It is not possible for us to stay outside”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.06pm BSTat 1.06pm BST
11.44am BST11.44am BST
11:4411:44
A defeat in Mosul would be a massive ideological blow to the Islamic State’s ideology, with the city representing the heart of the caliphate that the group declared in the region two years ago, according to one terrorism expert.A defeat in Mosul would be a massive ideological blow to the Islamic State’s ideology, with the city representing the heart of the caliphate that the group declared in the region two years ago, according to one terrorism expert.
Dr Natasha Underhill from Nottingham Trent University, an expert on terrorism in the Middle East, said that if the city was recaptured it could spell the beginning of the end for Isis as we know it. She said:Dr Natasha Underhill from Nottingham Trent University, an expert on terrorism in the Middle East, said that if the city was recaptured it could spell the beginning of the end for Isis as we know it. She said:
If the campaign to retake Mosul is a success, it would not only be a massive military defeat for IS but more importantly it would be massive blow to its ideological stance. Mosul symbolises the heart of the caliphate for the group and removing this would mark the beginning of the end for a group who is already struggling for survival. The group is no longer the powerhouse that it once appeared and is in fact struggling not only to gain support but to keep the support in place that it currently has.If the campaign to retake Mosul is a success, it would not only be a massive military defeat for IS but more importantly it would be massive blow to its ideological stance. Mosul symbolises the heart of the caliphate for the group and removing this would mark the beginning of the end for a group who is already struggling for survival. The group is no longer the powerhouse that it once appeared and is in fact struggling not only to gain support but to keep the support in place that it currently has.
The international community needs to be extremely careful in how it approaches this campaign, keeping in mind that this is not just a fight for territory, but also a fight for the hearts and minds of those who are the most fragile – the citizens of Iraq. In order for this to be a success there cannot be a repeat of the debacle that followed the 2003 invasion where the US-led coalition were essentially understaffed and unplanned for the scope of instability that would emerge across Iraq. For IS this would almost certainly be the hardest blow and would make it almost impossible for them to continue their propaganda campaign built around their creation of the caliphate.The international community needs to be extremely careful in how it approaches this campaign, keeping in mind that this is not just a fight for territory, but also a fight for the hearts and minds of those who are the most fragile – the citizens of Iraq. In order for this to be a success there cannot be a repeat of the debacle that followed the 2003 invasion where the US-led coalition were essentially understaffed and unplanned for the scope of instability that would emerge across Iraq. For IS this would almost certainly be the hardest blow and would make it almost impossible for them to continue their propaganda campaign built around their creation of the caliphate.
If Mosul were to be retaken by the allied coalition, a desperate IS may increase its levels of suicide attacks and other such methods to try to show its strength, but in reality the group is already weakened and has made little real ground in the last year. If anything they have been pushed back to levels not seen since its rapid emergence in 2014. It may be the beginning of the end for IS as we know them.If Mosul were to be retaken by the allied coalition, a desperate IS may increase its levels of suicide attacks and other such methods to try to show its strength, but in reality the group is already weakened and has made little real ground in the last year. If anything they have been pushed back to levels not seen since its rapid emergence in 2014. It may be the beginning of the end for IS as we know them.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.02pm BSTat 1.02pm BST
11.41am BST11.41am BST
11:4111:41
Smoke is rising over Mosul from the artillery and mortar fire and airstrikes from the US-led coalition backing Iraqi and irregular forces’ assault. As these pictures show, the battle is intensifying for control of the city.Smoke is rising over Mosul from the artillery and mortar fire and airstrikes from the US-led coalition backing Iraqi and irregular forces’ assault. As these pictures show, the battle is intensifying for control of the city.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.00pm BSTat 1.00pm BST
11.23am BST11.23am BST
11:2311:23
The assault on Mosul may cause up to 100,000 Iraqis to flee to Syria and Turkey, the UN refugee agency warned.The assault on Mosul may cause up to 100,000 Iraqis to flee to Syria and Turkey, the UN refugee agency warned.
The UNHCR has issued an appeal for an additional $61m (£50m) for Mosul-related humanitarian work in Iraq, Syria and Turkey following the attack on the city. It says the money will be spent on tents, camps, heating stoves and other “winter items”, Reuters reports.The UNHCR has issued an appeal for an additional $61m (£50m) for Mosul-related humanitarian work in Iraq, Syria and Turkey following the attack on the city. It says the money will be spent on tents, camps, heating stoves and other “winter items”, Reuters reports.
Meanwhile, Numan Kurtulmuş, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, has said his country is ready for the hundreds of thousands who may flee because of fighting although, he added, there will be no influx of refugees if the operation is run correctly.Meanwhile, Numan Kurtulmuş, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, has said his country is ready for the hundreds of thousands who may flee because of fighting although, he added, there will be no influx of refugees if the operation is run correctly.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.37am BSTat 11.37am BST
10.57am BST10.57am BST
10:5710:57
The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said Iraqi demands that Turkey stay out of the battle for Mosul are “out of the question”.The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said Iraqi demands that Turkey stay out of the battle for Mosul are “out of the question”.
#BREAKING Erdogan says 'out of question' for Turkey to stay out of Mosul operation#BREAKING Erdogan says 'out of question' for Turkey to stay out of Mosul operation
Reuters earlier reported that 1,500 irregulars trained by Turkish forces at a base in northern Iraq were due to join the advance on Iraq’s second-biggest city, which has been in Islamic State hands for two years.Reuters earlier reported that 1,500 irregulars trained by Turkish forces at a base in northern Iraq were due to join the advance on Iraq’s second-biggest city, which has been in Islamic State hands for two years.
The agency later posted a brief report saying that Turkey’s deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmuş, had revealed that 3,000 Turkish-trained forces were taking part in the operation.The agency later posted a brief report saying that Turkey’s deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmuş, had revealed that 3,000 Turkish-trained forces were taking part in the operation.
The deployment of Turkish soldiers in Iraqi territory had led to tensions between the two governments, with Baghdad saying the soldiers are violating Iraq’s sovereignty and demanding they leave the country, a call Ankara has ignored.The deployment of Turkish soldiers in Iraqi territory had led to tensions between the two governments, with Baghdad saying the soldiers are violating Iraq’s sovereignty and demanding they leave the country, a call Ankara has ignored.
A source told Reuters that the Turkish-trained force is comprised of Shias, Yazidis and Christians, as well as Turkmen fighters. Their presence could cause friction with Kurdish fighters, since Turkey regards its domestic Kurdish separatist groups as terrorists.A source told Reuters that the Turkish-trained force is comprised of Shias, Yazidis and Christians, as well as Turkmen fighters. Their presence could cause friction with Kurdish fighters, since Turkey regards its domestic Kurdish separatist groups as terrorists.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.57pm BSTat 12.57pm BST
10.14am BST10.14am BST
10:1410:14
Elsewhere in Iraq, militants have continued their campaign against the government forces and militias arrayed against the Islamic State group with a suicide car bomb at a security checkpoint south of Baghdad this morning.Elsewhere in Iraq, militants have continued their campaign against the government forces and militias arrayed against the Islamic State group with a suicide car bomb at a security checkpoint south of Baghdad this morning.
Ten people were killed and 25 were wounded when the driver of a car packed with explosives detonated his vehicle as a convoy of Shia paramilitary fighters drove past the checkpoint in Yusufiya, nine miles (15km) south of the Iraqi capital, sources told Reuters.Ten people were killed and 25 were wounded when the driver of a car packed with explosives detonated his vehicle as a convoy of Shia paramilitary fighters drove past the checkpoint in Yusufiya, nine miles (15km) south of the Iraqi capital, sources told Reuters.
It caused casualties among police and army personnel manning the position, as well as Shia fighters and civilians, the agency said.It caused casualties among police and army personnel manning the position, as well as Shia fighters and civilians, the agency said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.37am BSTat 10.37am BST
10.08am BST10.08am BST
10:0810:08
Peshmerga seize seven villages east of MosulPeshmerga seize seven villages east of Mosul
Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces have taken control of seven villages east of the city of Mosul, Turkey’s state-run news agency has reported.Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces have taken control of seven villages east of the city of Mosul, Turkey’s state-run news agency has reported.
Peshmerga soldiers have also taken control of the main road linking Mosul to Irbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital, which is further to the east, according to the report cited by the Associated Press in its latest update on the battle.Peshmerga soldiers have also taken control of the main road linking Mosul to Irbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital, which is further to the east, according to the report cited by the Associated Press in its latest update on the battle.
Helgurt Hikmet, a press officer in Irbil, has been quoted by Anadolu press agency as saying the seven villages that were taken from Islamic State control are: Tercele, Basahra, Little Bedene, Great Bedene, Kebervi, Baskelan and Sheikh Emir.Helgurt Hikmet, a press officer in Irbil, has been quoted by Anadolu press agency as saying the seven villages that were taken from Islamic State control are: Tercele, Basahra, Little Bedene, Great Bedene, Kebervi, Baskelan and Sheikh Emir.
Two would-be Islamic State suicide bombers were “neutralised” during the operations on Monday morning, the agency also said, without providing details.Two would-be Islamic State suicide bombers were “neutralised” during the operations on Monday morning, the agency also said, without providing details.
9.24am BST9.24am BST
09:2409:24
Here are a few videos purporting to show the situation in and around Mosul this morning. The first is from ITV news’ middle east editor, so we can be sure it is reliable.Here are a few videos purporting to show the situation in and around Mosul this morning. The first is from ITV news’ middle east editor, so we can be sure it is reliable.
Kurdish #Peshmerga fired from rockets launcher on #ISIS positions near #Mosul . pic.twitter.com/GFEfClSUPhKurdish #Peshmerga fired from rockets launcher on #ISIS positions near #Mosul . pic.twitter.com/GFEfClSUPh
Iraqi airforce dropping leaflets in & around #Mosul, warning local civillians to avoid ISIS held areas & promising victory. pic.twitter.com/pAFg2QovaqIraqi airforce dropping leaflets in & around #Mosul, warning local civillians to avoid ISIS held areas & promising victory. pic.twitter.com/pAFg2Qovaq
EXCLUSIVE: US-led coalition warplanes target #ISIS positions - East of #Mosul More videos: https://t.co/wEMwjeQybb#TwitterKurds #Iraq pic.twitter.com/GXRz9zQfvREXCLUSIVE: US-led coalition warplanes target #ISIS positions - East of #Mosul More videos: https://t.co/wEMwjeQybb#TwitterKurds #Iraq pic.twitter.com/GXRz9zQfvR
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.55am BSTat 10.55am BST
8.58am BST8.58am BST
08:5808:58
About 1,500 Iraqi fighters trained by the Turkish army are to take part in the attack on Mosul, Turkish military sources have told Reuters.About 1,500 Iraqi fighters trained by the Turkish army are to take part in the attack on Mosul, Turkish military sources have told Reuters.
Their involvement comes despite a row between the Iraqi and Turkish governments over the presence of Turkish soldiers at the Bashiqa camp, in northern Iraq, where some 3,000 irregular fighters have been trained, and over who should take part in the attack, the agency reports.Their involvement comes despite a row between the Iraqi and Turkish governments over the presence of Turkish soldiers at the Bashiqa camp, in northern Iraq, where some 3,000 irregular fighters have been trained, and over who should take part in the attack, the agency reports.
“Around half of the 3,000 are currently taking part in the operation. The other half are being kept in reserve,” one of the sources told Reuters.“Around half of the 3,000 are currently taking part in the operation. The other half are being kept in reserve,” one of the sources told Reuters.
“There is currently no participation in the operation by the Turkish military, but developments are being watched very closely,” the source added.“There is currently no participation in the operation by the Turkish military, but developments are being watched very closely,” the source added.
The source said there were Shi’ites, Yazidis and Christians in the force, which also included Turkmen fighters.The source said there were Shi’ites, Yazidis and Christians in the force, which also included Turkmen fighters.
8.51am BST8.51am BST
08:5108:51
Here are some pictures filtering through of Kurdish peshmerga preparing for the attack on Mosul. As mentioned just before, Kurdish forces are said to be leading the first attack on the city’s eastern parts.Here are some pictures filtering through of Kurdish peshmerga preparing for the attack on Mosul. As mentioned just before, Kurdish forces are said to be leading the first attack on the city’s eastern parts.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.52am BSTat 8.52am BST
8.32am BST8.32am BST
08:3208:32
Kurdish peshmerga forces are leading the first attack on Mosul’s eastern front, an Iraqi special forces commander has told the Associated Press.Kurdish peshmerga forces are leading the first attack on Mosul’s eastern front, an Iraqi special forces commander has told the Associated Press.
According to the US news agency’s latest report from the battle:According to the US news agency’s latest report from the battle:
Lt. Col. Ali Hussein says his men are also anxious to move out to the front line as soon as possible but that he expects they will wait near the town of Khazer for another day or two. He spoke just hours after the long-awaited battle for Mosul began on Monday morning.Lt. Col. Ali Hussein says his men are also anxious to move out to the front line as soon as possible but that he expects they will wait near the town of Khazer for another day or two. He spoke just hours after the long-awaited battle for Mosul began on Monday morning.
According to Hussein, an earlier political deal between the country’s Kurdish region and the central government in Baghdad has agreed that Kurdish forces would advance first and bring a cluster of villages the home of Christian, Shabak and other minority groups under their regional control.According to Hussein, an earlier political deal between the country’s Kurdish region and the central government in Baghdad has agreed that Kurdish forces would advance first and bring a cluster of villages the home of Christian, Shabak and other minority groups under their regional control.
Saud Masoud, also with the special forces, says that after the Kurdish troops ‘take the area that they want,’ the special forces will then move to the new front and continue the push into Mosul.Saud Masoud, also with the special forces, says that after the Kurdish troops ‘take the area that they want,’ the special forces will then move to the new front and continue the push into Mosul.
Guardian reporter Martin Chulov is with Kurdish forces, so we may hear more from him about their movements soon.Guardian reporter Martin Chulov is with Kurdish forces, so we may hear more from him about their movements soon.
8.22am BST8.22am BST
08:2208:22
Fears over the safety of civilians in Mosul come after reports that Isis militants have banned any from leaving the city, setting up checkpoints on roads and blowing up the homes of those who have already fled to deter others.Fears over the safety of civilians in Mosul come after reports that Isis militants have banned any from leaving the city, setting up checkpoints on roads and blowing up the homes of those who have already fled to deter others.
Militants have already moved into residential areas to try to deter US airstrikes from making targets of positions near homes. One refugee who recently fled Mosul, Abu Ammar, 47, told the Guardian that he and his family spent six hours walking through the night, through fields they feared were peppered with mines, to escape. He said:Militants have already moved into residential areas to try to deter US airstrikes from making targets of positions near homes. One refugee who recently fled Mosul, Abu Ammar, 47, told the Guardian that he and his family spent six hours walking through the night, through fields they feared were peppered with mines, to escape. He said:
My kids hadn’t left the house for weeks, because they were afraid of the US airstrikes, they were bombing residential areas, close to our home. The noise is horrible, windows get broken, the whole house shakes, and people get hysterical.My kids hadn’t left the house for weeks, because they were afraid of the US airstrikes, they were bombing residential areas, close to our home. The noise is horrible, windows get broken, the whole house shakes, and people get hysterical.
I only went out if I needed to do some shopping, and tried my best to avoid Isis militants. Mostly we borrowed wheat from a neighbour, because we couldn’t afford to buy it. I’m a government employee and haven’t been paid for two years. The only places that are open in Mosul are petrol stations, and shops with goods from Syria.I only went out if I needed to do some shopping, and tried my best to avoid Isis militants. Mostly we borrowed wheat from a neighbour, because we couldn’t afford to buy it. I’m a government employee and haven’t been paid for two years. The only places that are open in Mosul are petrol stations, and shops with goods from Syria.
I was trying to find a way out for months, a job somewhere to feed the kids, but I was scared to take the route to Erbil because it is planted with mines. I finally agreed to leave with four other families one night, but at the last minute the others dropped out.I was trying to find a way out for months, a job somewhere to feed the kids, but I was scared to take the route to Erbil because it is planted with mines. I finally agreed to leave with four other families one night, but at the last minute the others dropped out.
They said they had been tipped off that Isis had set up many checkpoints along the way and might capture us. I insisted on going anyway. We walked through the night for more than six hours, with my kids frightened and begging to go back.They said they had been tipped off that Isis had set up many checkpoints along the way and might capture us. I insisted on going anyway. We walked through the night for more than six hours, with my kids frightened and begging to go back.
Amina Najib, 45, speaking from Mosul city centre, told the Guardian that she and her family had decided the risk of trying to escape was too great. They have stockpiled a few essentials in a room in their house to use as a shelter. She said:Amina Najib, 45, speaking from Mosul city centre, told the Guardian that she and her family had decided the risk of trying to escape was too great. They have stockpiled a few essentials in a room in their house to use as a shelter. She said:
People here have nothing to talk about except the horrific war that will be launched against the city soon. But in the end we reckoned it was better to stay home than risk getting caught by Isis trying to flee. My son has already had 20 lashes just for using a mobile in the street.People here have nothing to talk about except the horrific war that will be launched against the city soon. But in the end we reckoned it was better to stay home than risk getting caught by Isis trying to flee. My son has already had 20 lashes just for using a mobile in the street.
I prepared a room in the house as a shelter with just some wheat to make bread and a few kilos of rice.I prepared a room in the house as a shelter with just some wheat to make bread and a few kilos of rice.
Most locals don’t have any cash because the government stopped paying its employees two years ago, and all our savings are wiped out. Pensioners are the lucky ones, they still get their pension via credit card, so our money comes from my cousin who is a retired teacher.Most locals don’t have any cash because the government stopped paying its employees two years ago, and all our savings are wiped out. Pensioners are the lucky ones, they still get their pension via credit card, so our money comes from my cousin who is a retired teacher.
People are worried about what comes after liberation. It is true we want to get rid of Isis but can you trust who will take power after?People are worried about what comes after liberation. It is true we want to get rid of Isis but can you trust who will take power after?
8.12am BST8.12am BST
08:1208:12
A senior U.N. official says he’s “extremely concerned” for the safety of civilians in Mosul, who may be trapped between the lines or held as human shields as the attack begins on the city.A senior U.N. official says he’s “extremely concerned” for the safety of civilians in Mosul, who may be trapped between the lines or held as human shields as the attack begins on the city.
Stephen O’Brien, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said in a statement last night:Stephen O’Brien, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said in a statement last night:
Families are at extreme risk of being caught in cross-fire or targeted by snipers. Tens of thousands of Iraqi girls, boys, women and men may be under siege or held as human shields. Thousands may be forcibly expelled or trapped between the fighting lines. Children, women, the elderly and disabled will be particularly vulnerable. Depending on the intensity and scope of the fighting, as many as one million people may be forced to flee their homes in a worst-case scenario.Families are at extreme risk of being caught in cross-fire or targeted by snipers. Tens of thousands of Iraqi girls, boys, women and men may be under siege or held as human shields. Thousands may be forcibly expelled or trapped between the fighting lines. Children, women, the elderly and disabled will be particularly vulnerable. Depending on the intensity and scope of the fighting, as many as one million people may be forced to flee their homes in a worst-case scenario.
I renew my call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure they have access to the assistance they are entitled to and deserve. Nothing is more important.I renew my call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure they have access to the assistance they are entitled to and deserve. Nothing is more important.
O’Brien gave a warning that despite the efforts of aid workers, there is not enough capacity to handle a humanitarian crisis of the scale the attack could bring.O’Brien gave a warning that despite the efforts of aid workers, there is not enough capacity to handle a humanitarian crisis of the scale the attack could bring.
Despite generous contributions from donor countries, funding has been insufficient to prepare fully for the worst-case scenario. With the resources available, humanitarian partners have done their best to prepare as efficiently as possible. Working under some of the most difficult and insecure conditions in the world, humanitarian partners will be doing everything possible to help as many people as possible in the days and weeks ahead.Despite generous contributions from donor countries, funding has been insufficient to prepare fully for the worst-case scenario. With the resources available, humanitarian partners have done their best to prepare as efficiently as possible. Working under some of the most difficult and insecure conditions in the world, humanitarian partners will be doing everything possible to help as many people as possible in the days and weeks ahead.
7.47am BST7.47am BST
07:4707:47
What we know so farWhat we know so far
7.43am BST7.43am BST
07:4307:43
Images taken this morning show peshmerga fighters setting up artillery east of Mosul.Images taken this morning show peshmerga fighters setting up artillery east of Mosul.