Mosul

people walking down the street in a devastated area of the city

4 years later, the legacy of ISIS prevents these Iraqi children from going to school

​​​​​​​Thousands of Iraqi children who lived under the brutal rule of ISIS in northern Iraq still face obstacles. Iraqi families who were issued official identification documents by ISIS continue to have a hard time getting their kids into school, because the government doesn't recognize their paperwork.

4 years later, the legacy of ISIS prevents these Iraqi children from going to school
Smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during US-led attacks, March 20, 2003.

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war

An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war
Students gather to take a group picture during the library repat the University of Mosul in front of the theatre on Feb. 19, 2022.

After years of conflict and rebuilding, Mosul University's Central Library marks new beginning  

After years of conflict and rebuilding, Mosul University's Central Library marks new beginning  
The outside of an old Jewish home in Mosul.

Signs of a forgotten Jewish past in Mosul

Signs of a forgotten Jewish past in Mosul
Iraqis put up a poster announcing the upcoming visit of Pope Francis and a meeting with a revered Shiite Muslim leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, right, in Najaf, Iraq, March 4, 2021.

Pope Francis' historic trip to Iraq embraced by many as a welcome boost

Pope Francis' historic trip to Iraq embraced by many as a welcome boost
An archbishop blesses a man with his golden cross

Iraqi archbishop who helped save ancient manuscripts from ISIS nominated for EU award

When ISIS took over his city, Archbishop Najeeb Michaeel Moussa knew he had to jump into action to save hundreds of ancient manuscripts. The risky effort was dangerous but ultimately successful. Now, he has been nominated for a prestigious award by the European Union.

Iraqi archbishop who helped save ancient manuscripts from ISIS nominated for EU award
Two people carry luggage down a bombed out street in Mosul.

Civilian decisions in conflict: Part I

Critical State takes a deep dive into one of the most fundamental choices civilians make in wartime: whether to stay in their homes and live under the control of an armed group that has conquered their city — or to abandon their homes and flee to somewhere they hope will be safer.

Civilian decisions in conflict: Part I
Iraqi young volunteers spray with disinfectants to combat an outbreak of coronavirus during a curfew imposed by Iraqi authorities, in the old city of Mosul, Iraq, March 15, 2020.

Online learning is a big struggle in formerly ISIS-controlled Mosul

Students in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq saw their education come to a stop when ISIS took over their city. In 2017, Iraqi and American forces liberated the city but reconstruction has been painfully slow and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven difficult.

Online learning is a big struggle in formerly ISIS-controlled Mosul
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Baghdadi’s death is a huge blow to ISIS, but history suggests it won’t guarantee a safer world

Common sense would suggest the world is indeed now a much safer place with ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's passing. Unfortunately, however, there is no guarantee this will prove to be true in practice. 

Baghdadi’s death is a huge blow to ISIS, but history suggests it won’t guarantee a safer world
The front of mosque is seen amid rubble. Behind the door, is a distinctive blue dome.

On Yom Kippur, remembering Mosul's rich and diverse past

Mosul, Iraq, was once home to religous monuments more than 1,000 years old. None of them survived ISIS.

On Yom Kippur, remembering Mosul's rich and diverse past
A demonstrator gestures as he stands close to burning tires blocking a road during a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 2, 2019.

Dozens dead as Iraqi youth protest poverty, corruption and injustice

For the fourth day in a row, protesters in Iraq have poured into the streets, calling for an end to corruption, unemployment and a lack of basic services.

Dozens dead as Iraqi youth protest poverty, corruption and injustice
St. Shmuni Church in Bartella, Iraq, shows damage sustained while the town was under ISIS control for two years.

ISIS turned this young Iraqi Christian into an atheist

Ibrahim, 17, and his mother spent two years as ISIS prisoners when the group controlled the area around Mosul. He says his Christian faith helped him survive. But after his release, the ordeal made him question religion altogether.

ISIS turned this young Iraqi Christian into an atheist
US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford is stands at a podium during a press conference.

Pentagon looks at stepping up its role in Africa to counter ISIS

The United States is considering a stepped-up military presence in Africa to pursue ISIS jihadists looking for new havens after the fall of their "caliphate," American officials say.

Pentagon looks at stepping up its role in Africa to counter ISIS
Military vehicles of Iraqi security forces are seen in Mosul's Old City.

A US-trained Iraqi unit allegedly carried out executions in Mosul

An Iraqi army division trained by American forces allegedly executed prisoners in west Mosul, Human Rights Watch said Thursday, calling for US assistance to the unit to be suspended.

A US-trained Iraqi unit allegedly carried out executions in Mosul
Members of Iraqi Federal police carry suicide belts used by Islamic State militants in the Old City of Mosul.

Clearing mines and explosives in Mosul

Mosul has more extensive explosive contamination than the other cities retaken from ISIS in Iraq.

Clearing mines and explosives in Mosul