٠٠:٠٣:٤٢Mosul's historic city markets were seen still in a state of ruin on Monday, three years after former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the official liberation of the city from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) in July 2017.
The scale of the destruction could be seen in the markets of Al-Midan and Al-Makkawi districts as well as the markets of Sargakhana, Najafi and Ghazi streets. Only a few shops were seen being operational, as shop owners reopened their stores in a bid to revive the market and make a living.
“The market is stagnant and people do not come here because of the destruction,” a store owner said, calling on the government to assist shop owners and start the reconstruction process.
“We are the ones who paid from our own pocket for the repairs, and if we wouldn’t have had families here, we would not have returned,” he added.
Mosul was captured by IS forces in June 2014, and Iraqi government forces recaptured the city in July 2017 after a nine-month battle. The heaviest fighting took place in the Old City, leaving many buildings, including its ancient churches and monasteries, in ruins.
Iraq: Mosul's historic markets still in ruins, three years after liberation
Mosul's historic city markets were seen still in a state of ruin on Monday, three years after former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the official liberation of the city from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) in July 2017.
The scale of the destruction could be seen in the markets of Al-Midan and Al-Makkawi districts as well as the markets of Sargakhana, Najafi and Ghazi streets. Only a few shops were seen being operational, as shop owners reopened their stores in a bid to revive the market and make a living.
“The market is stagnant and people do not come here because of the destruction,” a store owner said, calling on the government to assist shop owners and start the reconstruction process.
“We are the ones who paid from our own pocket for the repairs, and if we wouldn’t have had families here, we would not have returned,” he added.
Mosul was captured by IS forces in June 2014, and Iraqi government forces recaptured the city in July 2017 after a nine-month battle. The heaviest fighting took place in the Old City, leaving many buildings, including its ancient churches and monasteries, in ruins.
Mosul's historic city markets were seen still in a state of ruin on Monday, three years after former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the official liberation of the city from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) in July 2017.
The scale of the destruction could be seen in the markets of Al-Midan and Al-Makkawi districts as well as the markets of Sargakhana, Najafi and Ghazi streets. Only a few shops were seen being operational, as shop owners reopened their stores in a bid to revive the market and make a living.
“The market is stagnant and people do not come here because of the destruction,” a store owner said, calling on the government to assist shop owners and start the reconstruction process.
“We are the ones who paid from our own pocket for the repairs, and if we wouldn’t have had families here, we would not have returned,” he added.
Mosul was captured by IS forces in June 2014, and Iraqi government forces recaptured the city in July 2017 after a nine-month battle. The heaviest fighting took place in the Old City, leaving many buildings, including its ancient churches and monasteries, in ruins.