Politics
14:27, 13-Jul-2017
Iraqi cabinet meets for first time since Mosul liberation
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Iraq's cabinet met for the first time since Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi declared victory in the battle for Mosul.
Speaking to ministers, Al-Abadi vowed to punish ISIL fighters who committed crimes against civilians. He also promised to create a program to help Mosul refugees back home.
Mosul fell to ISIL in 2014, but has been almost completely retaken by the Iraqi army after an offensive which began last year. Thousands of residents had fled their homes and those living in Mosul have called on the government to ensure the city remains secure.
Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces have released videos of ISIL fighters surrendering in Mosul's Old City 36 hours after Baghdad declared the city liberated on Monday.
Iraqi forces cornered the ISIL militants holding out in the Old City. The fighters lost morale after the death of the terrorist group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been confirmed, according to the army.
The surrender of these last fighters symbolizes the terrorist group's biggest defeat since its lightning sweep through northern Iraq three years ago. But the city of Mosul still needs to recover from the brutal ISIL rule and nine months of urban combat while the refugees need time to rebuild their homes.