With the operation to liberate Mosul from Daesh starting, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, yesterday expressed his concern for civilians in the city.
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“I am extremely concerned for the safety of up to 1.5 million people living in Mosul who may be impacted by military operations to retake the city from Daesh. Families are at extreme risk of being caught in cross-fire or targeted by snipers,” O’Brien said in a statement. He also estimated that up to one million people will be forced to flee their homes in Mosul.
O’Brien has also admitted that the UN is unprepared to deal with providing optimum humanitarian aid. “Despite generous contributions from donor countries, funding has been insufficient to prepare fully for the worst-case scenario,” he said.
This came after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi announced yesterday night the start of a military offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, from Daesh.
Where is Mosul?
Mosul is the second biggest city in Iraq. It is located in the north of the country.
What is happening there?
Since June 2014 it has been under the control of Daesh.
What’s happening now?
Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by an international coalition which is led by the US, are battling to recapture the city from Daesh.
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