The International Organization for Migration states that the number of citizens forced to leave their homes due to the battle in Mosul has surpassed 200,000. According to Reuters, the International Organization for Migration announced on Sunday, March 5, that the number of those fleeing Mosul in recent operations has seen a significant increase. Based on the organization's statistics, the total number of people who have fled the city since the start of the Mosul operation in October 2016 reached 206,000 on Sunday. This figure was 164,000 on February 26 of this year. International aid organizations have expressed concern over the lack of facilities for housing the war refugees from Mosul in recent days. Iraqi forces on Sunday continued their advance closer to central western Mosul. According to Reuters, citing Iraqi military officials, these forces have approached government buildings in the city. The third phase of the operation "Qadimun Ya Nineveh" (Nineveh, We Are Coming) began on February 19 to reclaim western Mosul from the Islamic State (ISIS). To liberate western Mosul, Iraqi forces must engage in street fighting in areas where nearly 750,000 civilians reside. Mosul is the last major stronghold of ISIS in Iraq. The city fell under ISIS control in the summer of 2014. Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, is located 400 kilometers north of Baghdad and is the center of Nineveh province. The International Organization for Migration states that of the 206,000 displaced persons, nearly 64,000 have returned to their homes in areas that have come under government control. According to Hala Jaber, a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration, most of the recent refugees have been transferred by the government to the Hammam al-Alil area in southwestern Mosul. The United Nations expressed concern last month about the situation of 750,000 residents of western Mosul. According to Iraqi sources, on Sunday, intense clashes occurred in the al-Dawasa and al-Hajar neighborhoods of Mosul between government forces and ISIS militants. Government forces have regained control of the eastern part of Mosul from ISIS for over a month now.
Increase in Displaced Persons from Mosul Battle; Iraqi Army Approaches Government Buildings
The battle for Mosul has led to over 200,000 citizens being displaced, with Iraqi forces advancing towards government buildings in western Mosul. The situation raises concerns about the humanitarian crisis for the displaced, as international aid organizations warn of inadequate housing facilities. This battle is crucial as Mosul is the last major ISIS stronghold in Iraq.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The battle for Mosul has led to over 200,000 citizens being displaced as Iraqi forces advance towards government buildings in western Mosul. International aid organizations are raising alarms about the inadequate housing facilities for the displaced.
- The total number of displaced persons from Mosul has reached 206,000 since the operation began.
- Mosul is the last major stronghold of ISIS in Iraq, making its liberation critical.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The battle for Mosul is part of a larger campaign against ISIS, which has controlled significant territory in Iraq since 2014. The humanitarian crisis resulting from this conflict poses serious challenges for both local and international actors.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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