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December 23, 2016

Iraq: Mosul Residents Flee Miserable Camps Despite Heavy Fighting
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In Iraq, three suicide car bombs driven by members of ISIS killed at
least 15 civilians and eight Iraqi police officers on Thursday, as the
battle to retake the city of Mosul raged into its third month. The
attacks came in a suburb east of Mosul that Iraq's military claimed to
have captured weeks ago. The fighting came as many residents of Mosul
remained in their homes despite the fierce battles nearby. Many said
conditions in camps for displaced people were so poor they would rather
risk death. This is Abdullah Murad, who left a camp east of Mosul on
Wednesday.

Abdullah Murad: "Even the simplest necessities are unavailable. We are
surrounded by mud. Look at us. This is how it is with the mud.
Yesterday, a tent caught fire. It was indescribable. Then the tent was
engulfed in flames in 20 seconds, and people died. It is cold, very cold
during the night. We are going to try and stay with relatives or in some
home. It will be better than the camp."



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