People of Mosul welcome month of Ramadan in difficult financial situation

Residents of Mosul complain about lack of services and money.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – For the first time in three years, the people of Mosul welcome the holy month of Ramadan free from the tyrannical rule of the Islamic State (IS).

In October 2016, the Iraqi military forces and the Peshmerga forces launched several operations against the IS extremists in Mosul and surrounding areas, liberating east Mosul and a majority of west Mosul.

Amidst the difficult financial situation, people in the liberated areas of east Mosul are able to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan free from IS for the first time since 2014.

Despite the challenges and difficulties they face, notably the lack of essential services and the declining standard of living, the people of Mosul in interviews with Kurdistan24 said they were happy the extremist group has finally been driven out of their city.

Abu Muhanad, one of the residents of Mosul, said that although living conditions are not ideal, people are now able to live in dignity and freedom.

A woman in the bazaar informed Kurdistan24 that the lack of financial resources makes it very difficult to purchase local goods and called on the Iraqi government to pay the salaries of public servants to allow people to celebrate Ramadan.

Mahmood Abubakr, another Mosul resident, complained about financial restraints as people have not received their salaries.

“I cannot buy one kilogram of meat… people cannot afford to buy the necessary items for Ramadan and job opportunities are difficult to find,” he stated.

Omar Mohammed, a local shop owner, claimed that “people cannot afford to buy what they want."

"I have not even sold two kilograms of dates today. People just pass by my shop, take a look at the stuff and leave," he said.

Editing by G.H. Renaud