Thursday, March 28, 2024

Baghdad

Govt predicts 250.000 refugees from western Mosul battles

 Govt predicts 250.000 refugees from western Mosul battles

Refugees from Mosul.

Refugees from Mosul.
Representational photo.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi government is predicting anticipated battles between security forces and Islamic State militants in western Mosul to leave 250.000 people displaced.

Migration and Displacement Minister Jassem al-Jaff said in a press conference in Baghdad on Wednesday that the expected number of refugees from the upcoming battles “ranges from 200.000-250.000”. He revealed that battles between government forces and militants, which launched in October and succeeded in recapturing the eastern section of the city, have so far forced 191.000 to flee homes to refugee camps.

The minister said the government was ready to provide all necessary requirements for the refugees.

“The total number of refugees who have returned to their homes in Nineveh, Salahuddin, Diyala and Anbar since 2014 stands at 1.6 million,” al-Jaff said. He said the ministry disburses nearly 1.5 million Iraqi dinars (US$1200) for each family to encourage them to return to their liberated areas.

The announcement by al-Jaff came one day after the United Nations voiced concern over the fate of 750.000 Iraqis stranded in Islamic State-held regions in western Mosul.
Many at refugee camps have been reportedly enduring medical and food supply shortages, and many civilians are regularly targeted and some have died in IED explosions perpetrated by Is militants while trying to flee areas under their control.

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