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Civilians in western Mosul at “much higher risk” during battle

Civilians in western Mosul at “much higher risk” during battle

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Civilians living in the western part of the Iraqi city of Mosul are at a “much higher risk” of being killed or injured as the offensive to fully liberate the city continues.

That’s according to Lise Grande, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, speaking exactly 100 days since the military operation to retake Mosul began.

Iraq’s second city was captured by ISIL, or Daesh, extremists in mid-2014, and eastern Mosul has, in effect, been liberated, with 180,000 forced to flee their homes.

The western part of the city is still under Daesh control, with 750,000 civilians trapped there.

Reem Abaza asked Ms Grande what challenges government forces now face fully liberating the city and minimizing civilian casualties.

Duration: 5’22”

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© UNICEF/PHAZOU