Streets turn into safe corridors out of warzone in Mosul

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People in Mosul are still living under the shadow of war. The Iraqi government has turned some of the city's main streets into safe corridors to help civilians flee the war zone. But for some, leaving is not an easy choice.

Sami Al-Aridi, an Iraqi Army lieutenant general, said, “There are 50,000 civilians in the city, but they can’t leave easily because ISIL is using them as human shields. We are using social media and calling civilians urging them to flee.”

The army has set up a field hospital to treat civilians who escape from ISIL’s control. Near the Old City of Mosul, most residents have fled the constant soundtrack of mortars, shots and air strikes.

Mohamed Ahmad Thalij, 12, runs one of the few shops still open. He and his family didn’t want to leave and go to the refugee camps housing hundreds of thousands outside of Mosul. They feared any possessions they left behind would be gone forever. So they stayed.

Nadia Aziz says she has lost 11 family members in the fighting. She breaks down when she tries to describe her feelings on fleeing ISIL’s control. However, for thousands of people still in this city, the war continues.

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