
UN Warns Mosul Displacement Could Be Worst In Years
Fakhir Rizvi Published August 23, 2016 | 05:41 PM

BAGHDAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23th August, 2016) : The United Nations warned Tuesday that a military offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State group could result in the worst population displacement in years. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that 200,000 Iraqis had already been forced to flee their homes by conflict since March this year. Iraqi forces are currently involved in shaping operations aimed at tightening the noose on Mosul and setting the stage for a major assault on the militants' last major stronghold in the country. The UNHCR said such an offensive could result in the displacement of an additional one million people. "Worse is yet to come," the UNHCR representative in Iraq, Bruno Geddo, said.
"We predict that it could result in massive displacement on a scale not seen globally in many years." Nearly 3.4 million people have already been displaced in Iraq since the start of 2014.
Mosul is Iraq's second city and had an estimated population of around two million before IS took it over in June 2014 in an offensive that sparked large-scale displacement. Accurate numbers for the population remaining there are hard to come by but the UN and other officials have said that up to one million civilians may still be living under IS rule in the Mosul area. "We are building new camps and pre-positioning emergency relief kits to ensure people fleeing get rapid assistance," Geddo said.
"But even with the best-laid plans, there will be insufficient camps for all families needing shelter and we need to prepare other options," he added. Iraqi special forces on Tuesday launched an operation to retake Qayyarah, a town on the banks of the Tigris river about 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of Mosul. The town is expected to become a key launchpad for a broader offensive on Mosul in the coming weeks or months.
Related Topics
Recent Stories

290 humanitarian aid trucks enter Gaza Strip

Saudi Crown Prince, U.S. Secretary of State discuss regional, international deve ..

International Property Show opens nominations for IPS Awards 2025

ASB Capital commences operations in DIFC

Austria maintains EUR 2.9 billion in annual defence production with export rate ..

Pollen allergy issue in federal capital reviewed

Al Masaood Group exhibits advanced high-pressure compressor technology at NAVDEX ..

Abdullah bin Zayed, French FM discuss strategic relations, regional developments

Online shopping giants bet on AI to curb clothes returns

Nahyan bin Zayed inaugurates NAVDEX 2025

Italy's Milan upstages Pogacar in UAE Tour first stage

Estonian Defence Minister: ‘We seek to strengthen defense cooperation with UAE ..
More Stories From World
-
Football: Italian Serie A table
7 hours ago -
Argentina ex-president Fernandez charged with domestic violence
7 hours ago -
UN launches $6 billion appeal to avert catastrophe in famine-hit Sudan
7 hours ago -
Mexico says to sue Google if it insists on using 'Gulf of America'
7 hours ago -
Top US diplomat Rubio meets Saudi crown prince in Riyadh: State Department
8 hours ago -
Bayern hopeful Kane fit for Celtic clash
8 hours ago
-
Pope's condition 'complex', hospital stay extended: Vatican
9 hours ago -
East DRC city timidly comes back to life under M23 control
9 hours ago -
Online shopping giants bet on AI to curb clothes returns
9 hours ago -
At OIC Meeting, Pakistan calls for resolution of Kashmir and Palestinian conflicts
10 hours ago -
Pakistan Pavilion inaugurated at Gulfood 2025
10 hours ago -
Uzbekistan’s State Program for 2025 shaped through public, global input
10 hours ago