Emanuele Satolli

The Battle for Mosul

After a battle of approximately nine months, on the 10th of July 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi formally claimed victory over IS in the city of Mosul. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the city, much of which has suffered heavy damages. According to AP reports, between 9,000 and 11,000 civilians have been killed in the battle, and tens of thousands had to abandon their houses. They are the so-called IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Amnesty International released a report, “At Any Cost: The Civilian Catastrophe in West Mosul”, accusing Iraqi forces of violating international law all along with the fight. The government’s victory in Mosul may unleash revenge attacks and revive old resentments between Sunni and Shiites, a sectarian divide that tipped Iraq into civil war after the 2013 US-led invasion.

After a battle of approximately nine months, on the 10th of July 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi formally claimed victory over IS in the city of Mosul. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the city, much of which has suffered heavy damages. According to AP reports, between 9,000 and 11,000 civilians have been killed in the battle, and tens of thousands had to abandon their houses. They are the so-called IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Amnesty International released a report, “At Any Cost: The Civilian Catastrophe in West Mosul”, accusing Iraqi forces of violating international law all along with the fight. The government’s
victory in Mosul may unleash revenge attacks and revive old resentments between Sunni and Shiites, a sectarian divide that tipped Iraq into civil war after the 2013 US-led invasion.

Memebrs of the Iraqi Special Forces inside a building, in Soutwest Mosul. Iraq, 2017
A member of the Iraqi Army hit by an Isis sniper during an attempt to retake Al-Shifa Hospital, is carried away from the front line, in west Mosul. Iraq, 2017IRAQ. Mosul. Maggio 2017 - Un membro dell'esercito iracheno colpito da un cecchino dell'Isis durante un'operazione per riprendere il controllo dell'ospedale Al-Shifa, nella parte ovest di Mosul.
An alleged Isis militant captured in the Old City. Mosul, Iraq, 2017
A woman from Shora, a village liberated from Isis by Iraqi army, waits at Qayara checkpoint before being taken to a refugee camp. Mosul, Iraq, 2016
Destroyed building in the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, 2017IRAQ. Mosul. Luglio 2017 - Edifici distrutti nella città vecchia di Mosul.
A member of the Iraqi Federal Police fights back against Islamic State militants at a frontline position near the train station in southwest Mosul. Iraq, 2017
Members of the Iraqi Army evacuate people who managed to escaped from an area still under Isis control in al-Zinjili district, in west Mosul, Iraq, 2017
Members of the Federal Police take a shelter after a car bomb explosion, in Southwest Mosul, Iraq, 2017
A civilian who managed to leave an area still under Isis control tryes to find shelter while members of the Iraqi Special Forces Golden Division fight back against Isis militant at a frontline position in the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, 2017
A woman in a taxi in Qayyarah checkpoint. Mosul, Iraq, 2016
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TIME, April 2017
TIME, April 2017
TIME, April 2017
TIME, April 2017
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TIME, November 2017
TIME, November 2017
TIME, November 2017
TIME, November 2017
Fondazione Forma per la Fotografia. Milan, September 2019
Fondazione Forma per la Fotografia. Milan, September 2019
Fondazione Forma per la Fotografia. Milan, September 2019