4,000 Bodies Still Under Rubble in Mosul’s Old City

Thousands of victims’ bodies are still under the rubble in Mosul, an Iraqi MP has said, urging the government to help the refugees return back to their homes.

In televised remarks, MP Farah al-Siraj said, “4,000 bodies are still under the debris in the Old City of Mosul,” Iraqi News reported.

“So far, the government did not remove the debris from the city, which was highly destroyed,” Siraj added.

“The city is in disastrous situation, especially the Old City, whose population reaches around 700,000,” she said.

According to the MP, “only 20% of the displaced returned back homes.” She attributed the delay in the return on the shortage of capabilities for them to return.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared in July victory over the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group who had held the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25,000 IS militants were killed throughout the campaign. Earlier this month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

Iraqi forces, backed by paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories IS had occupied.

The war against IS has displaced nearly five million people, with tens of thousands of civilians and militants killed since the launch of the offensives to recapture occupied cities.