The content on this page may be difficult for some to view, however these images were taken to connect us to the experiences of others in the hope we can better understand their suffering.
Scars of Mosul
The Legacy of Isis
An injured civilian girl, bruised and bloodied, arrives at a medical Trauma Stabilization Point in West Mosul, Iraq amid ruins of the Old City on July 6, 2017.
The self-proclaimed Islamic State formed by ISIS, ruled over the civilian population of Mosul until Iraqi forces waged a fierce battle to liberate the ancient city. The citizens who called this home were trapped or held captive as human shields. Wounded and weak, they arrive at a medical triage and transport area near the Old City, struggling to grasp the remnants of their lives. Most who survived now face an uncertain future, forgotten in the limbo of IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.
The scars of emotional trauma are even more difficult to heal than the physical ones. Their lives are shattered, they lost loved ones and all personal effects, while surviving day to day, in non-stop terror, between suicide bombs and repressive ISIS doctrine for three long years.
The war in Mosul is over, but it left a society in ruins, a city in rubble and a massive humanitarian crisis.
Civilians, many injured and weak, walk past the ancient Great Mosque of al-Nuri, destroyed by ISIS, as they flee battle with ISIS in West Mosul, Iraq amid devastation of the Old City on July 7, 2017. Global Response Management and other medical teams provide triage and transport at a Trauma Stabilization point nearby for civilians and soldiers injured during the raging conflict.
A woman screams as she escapes the fierce battle with ISIS in the Old City of West Mosul, Iraq on July 2, 2017 as the sky is continuously filled with smoke from airstrikes, suicide bombs, mortars and grenade attacks. Civilians flee when they can after being trapped or held as human shields after living under years of ISIS doctrine.
Iraqi Army soldiers use a mirror to look for ISIS fighters, keeping low from sniper fire at the front line in West Mosul, Iraq on July 8, 2017. They said they had just killed an ISIS fighter holding a grenade. The fierce battle continued in the Old City with dangers from suicide bombers, grenades, snipers and airstrikes making the urban warfare perilous.
Civilians, many wounded. terrified and weak, rest in a bulldozer as they arrive at a medical Trauma Stabilization Point near the Old City while fleeing the fierce battle with ISIS in West Mosul, Iraq on July 7, 2017. Those not severely injured continue walking after being checked for suicide bombs and are then transported to IDP camps.
Iraqi soldier Dred Subhi tenderly carried an ISIS orphan down a destroyed street from the front line In West Mosul, Iraq on July 17, 2017. She was found by Iraqi Army soldiers when they saw her walking naked in the rubble. She was believed to be a foreigner, her parents ISIS fighters killed in the battle or by suicide bomb, it was difficult for medics to determine exactly. She was given emergency care at a Trauma Stabilization Point with Iraqi Army medics nearby in the Old City. The soldiers said they saw other children but couldn't reach them as it was too dangerous with ISIS fighters nearby. The battle continued in a small part of West Mosul even though it was declared liberated a week ago. Injuries from suicide bombers, grenades and snipers occurred as ISIS used tunnels to wage the fierce conflict.
Families comfort each other weeping. The woman on right lost many family members under the rubble of her home and was pleading for someone to search for any survivors. Civilians, many injured and weak, flee the continued battle with ISIS in West Mosul on July 3, 2017. They arrive at a trauma stabilization site near the Old City for medical care and transport. Global Response Management and other medical teams provide triage for civilians and soldiers
A woman weeps about many family members buried under the rubble of her home and was still praying they could be rescued. Civilians escaped the continued battle with ISIS in West Mosul and were brought to a Trauma Stabilization Point near the Old City.
Teams provide emergency medical care at a stabilization point near the Old City. Civilians, many injured and weak, flee the continued battle with ISIS in West Mosul on July 2, 2017 amid ruins of the city. Anything available served as makeshift stretchers for the large numbers of wounded on their journey.
A little ISIS orphan named Amina was found by Iraqi Army soldiers when they heard her cries from the rubble on July 16, 2017. She was believed to be a foreigner and spoke Russian. When paramedic Monir Turk with Global Response Management asked where her father and mother were she said they were martyrs, ISIS fighters killed in the battle or by suicide bomb. She was given emergency medical care at a Trauma Stabilization Point with Iraqi Army medics and Global Response Management team on amid ruins of the Old City then taken to the general hospital. Injuries from suicide bombers, grenades and snipers continue as ISIS fighters use tunnels to continue the fierce conflict.
A tiny ISIS orphan was found by Iraqi Army soldiers when they saw her walking naked in the rubble at the frontline in West Mosul, Iraq on July 17, 2017. She was believed to be a foreigner, her parents most likely ISIS fighters killed in the battle or by suicide bomb, it was difficult for medics to determine exactly. She was given emergency medical care at a Trauma Stabilization Point with Iraqi Army medics amid ruins of the Old City. The soldiers said they saw other children but couldn't reach them as it was too dangerous with ISIS fighters nearby.
A severely wounded Iraqi Army soldier with a look of mortal fear is given emergency medical care at a Trauma Stabilization Point near the front line with Global Response Management team in the Old City on July 13, 2017. He later died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Injuries from suicide bombers, grenades and snipers continue as ISIS fighters use tunnels to wage the fierce conflict. Some of the suicide bombers have allegedly been women with children.
An ISIS fighter is led away after capture by Iraqi Army soldiers amid ruins of the Old City in West Mosul, Iraq on July 18, 2017. The battle with ISIS continued in a small area of West Mosul near the Tigris River even though it was declared liberated a week ago. Suicide bombs, grenades and snipers continue as ISIS fighters use tunnels during final stages of Iraqi Army operations. Some of the suicide bombers have allegedly been women with children.
People and soldiers celebrated at a plaza in West Mosul, Iraq on July 9, 2017. There have been announcements that the battle is over and Mosul is liberated but fierce fighting continued in some areas.
Mohammed Abd Hamad, 20 and two others surrendered after being surrounded by ISOF Special Forces who believe they are ISIS fighters in West Mosul, Iraq on July 9, 2017. They are held captive at a base near the front line.
A little girl holds her head in her hands amid ruins of the Old City in West Mosul, Iraq on July 6, 2017. Most who survived now face an uncertain future, forgotten in the limbo of IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.