The battle for Mosul, Iraq

2016 Iraq, Qayyarah..Iraqi Army soldiers are young but very motivated to move upwards,in an attempt to recaptures the area south of Mosul, this after they fled the city more then two years ago. At the same time the Kurdisch forces try to advance from the east of Mosul, and Shia militia fight from the south/west.
The road to Mosul. 		Mosul, Bartella, Iraq oktober 2016..Local Arabs from the surrounding vallages of Bartella are deported by the Iraqi army and put in make shift camps...As the villages will be cleared form explosives, the civilians will be transported and get a securety check, unknown is how long this process will take. In the meanwhile locals have to stay inside the camps to avoid IS will return in between the civilians. Bartella is recapture from IS by Iraqi forces...The city is under control but IS fighters are still close hidden in basements or tunnels under the town and come out mostly after dark.....The churches of the mainly Christian town are damaged and attempted to set on fire, also many explivives are found behind doors and entrance... The churches of the mainly Christian towns are damaged and attempted to set on fire, also many explivives are found behind doors and entrance.
the road to Mosul 		2016 Iraq, Qayyarah Iraqi Army recaptures area south of Mosul. Islamic State fighters have put many road side bombs and triggered devices. The Bomb squad detonated a car that was triggered, a soldier checks if the car is secure to pass by. A car filled with explosives has been detonated near the road, A soldier looks if there is any explosive left. Every unit has his anti bomb squad, since ISis is very advanced with road side bombs.
The road to Mosul. 		2016 Iraq, Mosul The Iraqi special forces are fighting inside Mosul. When ISIL pulls back they start shelling the area they just left, this causes many casualties among the civilians, they are treated in a field hospital run by volunteers. Mosul, a field hospital close to the fighting at the eastern part of town, Civilians are the main wounded, most are hit by shelling from Islamic state front lines. Medical Staff are under great risk to save as many wounded as possible with very little recources.
The road to Mosul 		2016 Iraq, Qayyarah Iraqi Army recaptures area south of Mosul An Iraqi soldier makes a selfie with a local and his daughter who stayed during the fights.
the road to Mosul
2016 Iraq, Qayyarah.... Families from Haweeja who took great risk to escaped ISIL territory are denied access into the Kurdisch area's of Kirkuk, this after an ISIL attempt to take over the city of Kirkuk. They start drifting in a bus to find safety and shelter. I found them after dark near qayyarrah ,south of Mosul, what is not a save place. The war is close.
the road to Mosul 		2016 Iraq, Qayyarah A local shepherd leads his now black animals in between rubble and black oil smoke, they live between burning oil well s and a burning poison sulphur factory, put on fire by ISIL before they left the area. Iraqi Army recaptures area south of Mosul. Qayyarah is fallen into hands of the Iraqi forces, but only after IS set most oil well's on fire , also a burning Sulphur factory spreads a poisoned smoke. All that is in town is turning black.
the road to Mosul 		Fire fighters try to stop the huge flames at a Qayyarah oil well with just a water hose, at the same time sand is being put into the oil sludge to prevent it from spreading. The heat is unbearable as is the black sticky smoke. About 20 large oil wells are burning, covering the city in a poisoning black smoke for the months to come.
the road to Mosul 		Khgazer camp, east of Mosul is the place where Arabic civilians are isolated in an attempt to find out if they belong to ISIL No phone communication is allowed with anyone , and man an woman live separated. A man from outside the camp finds his relative through the metal fence and they share the happiness of the moment.
the road to Mosul. 		2016 Iraq, Mosul Near Tal Afar, (west of Mosul) The Shia militia are fighting for Tal Afar, they have just taken the Tal Afar Airport at a high death toll. Shia Milita fighters are on their way to a new position. Tal Afar is essential to cut the connection for ISis between Mosul and Syria.
the road to Mosul
2016 Iraq, Mosul While the Iraqi special forces are entering Mosul, local children sheer up towards the armed vehicles.
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq. Golden brigade Task forces try to take area's from ISlamic State. The fighting is fierce and dangerous, ISil is very close and able to move in between the houses. An Iraqi special force team moves into an ISIL controlled area
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq, Mosul Families get caught between the fighting and bombing between ISIL and the Iraqi army, and run for safety. Golden brigade Task forces try to take area's from ISlamic State. The fighting is fierce and dangerous, ISil is very close and able to move in between the houses.
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq, Mosul A suicide car has droven into the area, after it exploded people try to find a way out. Golden brigade Task forces try to take area's from ISlamic State. The fighting is fierce and dangerous, IS is very close and able to move in between the houses. An Iraqi special force unit tries to secure a street inside Mosul.
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq, Mosul The Iraqi special forces are fighting inside Mosul. When ISIL pulls back they start shelling the area they just left. This causes many casualties, wounded are treated in a field hospital run by volunteers and some army staff. Mosul, a field hospital close to the fighting at the eastern part of town, Civilians are the main wounded, most are hit by shelling from Islamic state front lines. Medical Staff are under great risk to save as many wounded as possible with very little recources.
Iraq Mosul offensive
2016, Iraq, Mosul, a field hospital close to the fighting at the eastern part of town, Civilians are the main wounded, most are hit by shelling from Islamic state front lines. Medical Staff are under great risk to save as many wounded as possible with very little recources. It is to dangerous to take the victims away, the kitchen floor serves as a last place for the death.
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq, Mosul. Houses are turned into rubble while civilians try to stay inside. Golden brigade Task forces try to take area's from ISlamic State. The fighting is fierce and dangerous, IS is very close and able to move in between the houses. An Iraqi special force unit tries to secure a street inside Mosul.
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq, Mosul. People leave the city, while the army moves in. Golden brigade Task forces try to take area's from ISlamic State. The fighting is fierce and dangerous, IS is very close and able to move in between the houses. An Iraqi special force unit tries to secure a street inside Mosul.
Iraq Mosul offensive 		2016 Iraq, Qayyarah.... Families from Haweeja who took great risk to escaped ISIL territory are denied access into the Kurdisch area's of Kirkuk, this after an ISIL attempt to take over the city of Kirkuk. They start drifting in a bus to find safety and shelter. I found them after dark near qayyarrah ,south of Mosul, what is not a save place. The war is close.
The road to Mosul.
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