Thousands Of Iraqis Flee Mosul In Five Days As Anti-terrorist Operations Intensify

(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Thousands of Iraqis flee Mosul in five days as anti-terrorist operations intensify

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 4 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 04th Jan, 2017 ) : More than 13,000 people have fled Mosul in just five days since Dec. 29, as the second phase of military operations to retake the Iraqi city from Islamic State terrorists has apparently begun, a United Nations spokesperson has said.

"The average daily displacement numbers have increased by nearly 50 per cent since military operations intensified, some 1,600 to more than 2,300 displaced per day, Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told the regular noon briefing on Tuesday.

Humanitarian assistance continues to be distributed into newly accessible neighbourhoods in the city's eastern section. Over 1,000 cubic metres of water are being trucked daily and food and non-food items have reached people in four neighbourhoods which have not been serviced since before by international humanitarian partners, the spokesperson said.

The military campaign began on Oct 7 last year. In total, nearly 130,000 people are now displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas due to the fighting, the spokesman added.