un says 200000 more people could flee mosul as fighting intensifies
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

UN says 200,000 more people could flee Mosul as fighting intensifies

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today UN says 200,000 more people could flee Mosul as fighting intensifies

Smoke billows in a neighbourhood called 17 Tammuz following a car bomb explosion, west of Mosul, on May
Mosul - Arab today

The United Nations said on Thursday up to 200,000 more people might flee Mosul as Iraqi forces push into the last districts held by Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Iraqi authorities and aid agencies are already struggling to cope with a surge in displacement since security forces opened a new front against the militants in Mosul earlier this month.

Backed by a U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi forces have dislodged IS from all but about 12 square km (five square miles) of the city and are seeking to claim victory before the holy month of Ramadan in less than two weeks.

The militants, however, still control the Old City, where they are expected to make their last stand in the densely populated, narrow streets that are impassible for armored vehicles.

Military commanders say the aim is to raise the Iraqi flag over the Old City's Nuri mosque, from which IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate, so the battle can be declared won even if pockets of resistance remain.

"As military operations intensify and move closer to Mosul’s Old City area, we expect that up to 200,000 more people will flee," Lise Grande, the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, said in a statement, describing the figures as "alarming".

"The numbers of people who are moving are now so large, it’s becoming more and more difficult to ensure civilians receive the assistance and protection they need."

The displacement is also complicating the advance of Iraqi forces, according to Brigadier General Ali al-Sharifi of the Federal Police forces, which are fighting in the 17 Tammouz district.

"We didn't expect such a flux of thousands of families fleeing towards our forces. We slowed clashes to give them safe routes and we had to prepare hundreds of trucks to evacuate them. It's not an easy situation".

Among those freed from IS on Thursday were two girls from the Yazidi minority who had been held captive since the militants overran their villages nearly three years ago, federal police chief Lieutenant General Raed Shaker Jawdat said in a statement.

Seven months since the start of the Mosul campaign, nearly 700,000 people have fled Mosul, seeking refuge either with friends and relatives or in camps.

Human Rights Watch said on Thursday the Iraqi army and other local security forces had forced over 300 displaced families to return to western districts of Mosul that are still at risk of attack by IS.

"These families should not be forcibly returned to unsafe areas and areas that lack adequate water, food, electricity, or health facilities," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

Source: Ahram online   

 

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

un says 200000 more people could flee mosul as fighting intensifies un says 200000 more people could flee mosul as fighting intensifies

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

un says 200000 more people could flee mosul as fighting intensifies un says 200000 more people could flee mosul as fighting intensifies

 



GMT 12:47 2017 Saturday ,08 July

35 migrants feared drowned off Libya: coastguard

GMT 16:47 2017 Wednesday ,29 March

Asala feels more nostalgic for Syria

GMT 15:01 2012 Saturday ,13 October

10-girl Ghana edge Germany for bronze

GMT 01:35 2017 Wednesday ,06 December

HRH Premier: Investing in education is priority

GMT 10:45 2012 Sunday ,20 May

Sherine sings for red lines

GMT 18:02 2017 Friday ,10 February

Riyadh Metro on track, says builder

GMT 18:59 2016 Tuesday ,27 December

One hundred new shops open

GMT 04:22 2016 Thursday ,29 September

Tadawul index falls sharply for 2nd day

GMT 19:33 2014 Friday ,03 January

Militants gunned down religious leader in Pakistan

GMT 14:24 2014 Tuesday ,13 May

Colorful family home in Taiwan

GMT 15:20 2016 Friday ,12 February

Lagarde set for second term

GMT 01:23 2017 Saturday ,23 December

Washington, Ottawa clash

GMT 03:20 2017 Saturday ,16 December

Modern-day slavery haunts 46m worldwide

GMT 06:59 2017 Wednesday ,13 December

Australia's Castle shatters rugby union glass ceiling

GMT 09:08 2011 Saturday ,21 May

Women who made their own path honoured

GMT 00:14 2017 Wednesday ,06 September

Partly cloudy with slight drop in temperatures
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday