Home WebMail Saturday, November 2, 2024, 02:26 AM | Calgary | -1.1°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2017-07-17T23:10:38Z | Updated: 2017-07-18T13:59:55Z

Newly released satellite images reveal the near-absolute destruction of several neighborhoods in Mosul, Iraq, after a months-long battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants for control of the city.

The aerial shots, published by satellite imagery company DigitalGlobe , show stark differences in the appearance of Iraqs second-largest city from November 2015 to July 8, days before Iraqi Prime Minster Abadi claimed victory in the battle.

ISIS captured Mosul in the summer of 2014 and made it the groups base in the country. Iraqi forces launched an offensive to drive the militants out of the city in October 2016, at first focusing on eastern neighborhoods. By July 10, Iraqi fighters also had driven ISIS out of the citys west.

But the victory came at a large cost . In some of Mosuls western neighborhoods, not a single building is left standing. Crucial infrastructure, including sewage pipes, electricity lines, hospitals and schools, have been destroyed.

Stanley Brown, director of the U.S. State Departments Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, told The Washington Post on Monday it may take decades to clear explosives left behind by the militants. When I look around the world in some ways theres nothing like Mosul that weve encountered, Brown said . The level of contamination though is not one of those where were talking weeks and months, were talking years and maybe decades.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost
DigitalGlobe
Mosul hospital and hotel on Nov. 13, 2015, and then on July 8, 2017.
DigitalGlobe
Mosul sports complex on Nov. 13, 2015, and then on July 8, 2017.
DigitalGlobe
Mosul's Old Bridge on Nov. 13, 2015, and then on July 8, 2017.
DigitalGlobe
Fifth Bridge and buildings in Mosul on Nov. 13, 2015, and then on July 8, 2017.
DigitalGlobe
Al-Nuri Mosque on Nov. 13, 2015, and then on July 8, 2017.
DigitalGlobe
Area southeast of Mosul hospital on Nov. 13, 2015, and then on July 8, 2017.