Life returns to normal in the east of post-ISIL Mosul

But in the west of Mosul, stark reminders of the battles haunt the residents.

Life in the east of Iraq’s second largest city is beginning to return to normal, a year after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL, was defeated.

But for those from the west of Mosul, it’s a completely different story.

It still lies in ruins and people who used to live there say they won’t return.

Al Jazeera’s Rob Matheson reports from Mosul.

By Rob Matheson