Half a Million People in Mosul Facing Drinking Water Shortage

The United Nations reports that half a million civilians in Mosul are facing a 'catastrophic' shortage of drinking water due to the entrenchment of members of the group known as 'Islamic State' in parts of the city and the disruption of water supply routes. According to AFP, Liz Grande, the UN coordinator in Iraq, stated that civilians caught in the midst of the battles in Mosul are currently facing severe shortages of food and electricity, and now drinking water is also running out. Grande noted that the impact of these conditions on children, women, and families will be 'catastrophic.' The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has stated that the battle to retake Mosul has destroyed the main water supply route to the city. UNICEF reported that in areas of Mosul that are still under the control of extremist 'Islamic State' militants, water has been cut off. The UN agency has raised the possibility that until water is restored, civilians in these areas of Mosul will be forced to drink contaminated water, raising concerns about the spread of diseases and deadly issues such as severe diarrhea and malnutrition. Some civilians in eastern Mosul have reported using well water. Areas in eastern Mosul are currently the center of major battles and conflicts between Iraqi forces, especially the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, and 'Islamic State' members. It is reported that extremist militants have entrenched themselves in parts of eastern Mosul and are using a wave of bombings and suicide attacks to hinder the advance of the Iraqi army. The fighting continues street by street and neighborhood by neighborhood. The operation to retake Mosul began on October 18. Reports indicate that since the start of the battles, more than 70,000 civilians have fled the city and reached government centers and camps. However, it is estimated that over one million people remain in the city, of which nearly 600,000 reside in eastern areas where battles with 'Islamic State' continue.