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Gallery|ISIL/ISIS

Families flee ISIL in Iraq

Since the operation to retake Mosul began, displaced civilians have been streaming into Iraq’s Kurdish region.

Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Kurdistan Peshmerga forces have been holding the line in the town of Makhmour. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
By Mauricio Morales
Published On 22 Apr 201622 Apr 2016
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Operations began last month to retake Nineveh province, including Mosul, from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group.

ISIL took control of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, in June 2014. The town of Makhmour, around 75km southeast of Mosul, is among the frontlines of the operation to reclaim it. Here, the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces have been holding the line as battle preparations continue.

Since the operation began, an increasing number of displaced people have been streaming into Iraq’s Kurdish region, seeking refuge. The influx is expected to continue in the months ahead.

Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Civilians crossing from ISIL territory to Iraq's Kurdish region are asked to strip off their clothes to ensure they are not wearing suicide vests. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Peshmerga officers and soldiers stand on guard in Makhmour. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
On this day, more than 100 civilians arrive at the Peshmerga position in Makhmour. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
The majority of the civilians who arrive are from small rural villages near Mosul. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Families must go through a registration process before being transported to temporary camps. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Some people arrive with small bags containing their belongings, while others come with just the clothes on their backs. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
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Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Many of those arriving in Iraq's Kurdish region are women and children. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
After being registered and cleared by local officials, some of the displaced people board trucks. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
The trucks will transport them away from the frontlines. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Food is distributed at Dibaga camp, which has been receiving most of the displaced people. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Nearly 6,000 people are currently staying at the camp, according to officials. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Children let off steam in the camp's playground. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
After camp residents are cleared by the Kurdistan Regional Government, many begin journeys to new locations in the region, including Kirkuk. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]
Escaping ISIL / Please Do Not Use
Peshmerga soldiers and a local tribal leader look out from the Makhmour frontline. [Mauricio Morales/Al Jazeera]

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