This week marks 12 years since the northern Iraqi city of Mosul fell to the terrorist group ISIS on 10 June 2014, leaving humanitarian, social, security, political and urban disasters for residents of Iraq’s second-largest city. Three years later, Mosul was "liberated" by an offensive that included the Iraqi military, the US, and the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilisation Front.
But before that war, residents witnessed horrific events that spread to other Iraqi cities and provinces, leaving tens of thousands dead and wounded and nearly six million displaced. The secrets of this "security catastrophe" have not been clearly explained throughout the years, and none of the officials accused of involvement in the fall of Mosul has been held accountable.
Throughout the past years, the investigation into the fall of Mosul was sidelined, despite being discussed by the Iraqi parliament, which hosted military and police commanders, city officials and others from Baghdad.
These measures did not lead to any accountability or trials, particularly for senior suspects, most notably former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Iraqis, whether from Mosul or from cities subsequently occupied by ISIS after Iraqi forces withdrew under circumstances whose details remain insufficiently clear, continue to recall the tragedy that enabled the terrorist group to expand its control.
More than 20 Iraqi cities fell in less than a week in the north and west of the country, including Baaj, Tal Afar, Sinjar, Qayyarah, Hatra, Rabia, al-Jazira, Tikrit, Balad, al-Dour, al-Ishaqi, and later Ramadi, Hit, Rutba, al-Qaim, Karma, Rawa, Ana, Alous and other towns.
Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led international coalition, regained control of Mosul and expelled ISIS militants in July 2017 after battles that lasted about 10 months.
The fighting left a large number of civilian casualties, estimated by lawmakers and officials at tens of thousands killed and wounded, most of them women and children.
The battles also caused widespread destruction. Iraq’s Ministry of Planning estimated that more than 56,000 homes were affected.
Reports indicate that around 1,000 of those homes still contain the bodies of their owners beneath the rubble. Authorities have also registered 11,000 missing persons.
During the liberation battles led by Iraqi forces and supported by the international coalition, more than a quarter of a million people were killed or wounded across Iraq, according to unofficial estimates.
Tens of thousands were also abducted or disappeared, while successive governments have not provided official figures.
Iraqi President Nizar Amidi stated on Wednesday, 10 June, marking the 12th anniversary of the fall of Mosul.
"Iraqis proved during that ordeal that Iraq’s strength lies in its unity and the cohesion of its people and that terrorism, regardless of the extent of its brutality and criminality, cannot break the will of a people who believe in their homeland and future," he said.
"Our national responsibility today requires, more than ever, strengthening the internal front, unifying the national discourse, protecting achievements and working together to build a strong, just and prosperous state that guarantees dignity, security and opportunities for all Iraqis," Amidi added.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said in a statement that "the organisation (Daesh) committed widespread crimes against civilians, including the shedding of innocent blood and violations of sanctities and holy sites, leaving thousands of martyrs, wounded and missing, in an attempt to undermine the will of Iraqis and their national identity, and Iraq has proven its ability to confront the most dangerous challenges".
He stressed, "preserving the achievements of victory; strengthening the capabilities of the armed forces and security agencies; consolidating security and stability; reinforcing Iraq’s sovereignty; and ensuring that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of the state, alongside continuing reconstruction, reform and development projects that meet citizens’ aspirations".
However, residents of Mosul remember the occasion with deep pain and sorrow, particularly as many are convinced that their city did not fall but was handed over to terrorism.
Younis al-Qazzaz, 43, from Mosul, told The New Arab that those involved in, negligent over, or complicit in the city’s fall must be held accountable. "The months preceding the occupation of the city witnessed many security and political problems. The city was not occupied; it was handed over to terrorism. Iraqi parties then deliberately branded the people of Mosul as terrorists," he described.
"Therefore, we demand accountability for those involved, and we hope that the International Court of Justice will intervene," al-Qazzaz added.
Mohammed Hreis, a member of the Nineveh Provincial Council, told TNA that many residents believe the city was handed over because of political and security disputes within the province.
"Mosul is now ranked first in terms of security stability, and it has managed to recover and move towards reconstruction and prosperity," he said.
He continued: "Residents were prisoners of ISIS and were isolated from the world, losing their education and falling behind because of that dark period [...] The organisation killed around 20,000 citizens in the Khasfa incident alone and destroyed about 51 residential units, and the entire infrastructure, but the city has risen again."
Civil society activist Ayoub Mohammed from Mosul spoke about the development and progress the city is experiencing, but noted that "people’s memories remain burdened by pain, as all residents were affected by the war, and there is not a single household in Nineveh province that has not tasted the bitterness of war, loss, deprivation and displacement".
He told TNA that "the Iraqi government and judicial authorities must continue holding accountable those involved in the fall of Mosul and, subsequently, the fall of dozens of Iraqi cities."
"This measure is part of restoring dignity to those harmed by ISIS and by the fighting that lasted three years in Iraq, whether in Mosul or the other provinces that fell under the grip of the terrorist organisation," he concluded. Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .