TOKYO-2017 Editorial / Conflict

Refugee of Mosul

  • Prize
    Gold in Editorial/Conflict
  • Photographer
    Lorenzo Tugnoli

From late February to July 2017 Iraqi forces supported by a US-led coalition have been fighting in West Mosul. The months of arduous street-fighting to regain control of the final part of Iraq’s second largest city from Islamic State pushed more than half a million civilians to leave their homes. The final part of the campaign took place in densely populated areas and hundred of thousands of people remained trapped with no access to water and food. Many died in airstrikes or mortar fire and many tried to leave the city. Entire families walked through the frontline to reach safety. They were emerging from the city wounded, malnourished and fearful after months lived under siege.