Life After ISIS: An Iraqi Village Rebuilds

By Refugees International | September 30, 2016

At its height in mid-2014, the Islamic State (ISIS) controlled more than 40 percent of Iraq. Now, a counter-offensive by the Iraqi Army, pro-government militias, and allied nations has pushed ISIS out of many areas it once held. This has given a glimmer of hope to Iraq’s 3.4 million internally displaced people (IDPs): after years of exile, they have a chance to return home. Refugees International visited a town in Anbar province where returning families spoke about the challenges of rebuilding their homes, their lives, and their community.

During ISIS’s time in the town, airstrikes damaged scores of homes, businesses, and government buildings; others were burned, creating clouds of smoke to hide ISIS troops from aerial attack. RI met IDPs who were living in abandoned houses or shops b — During ISIS’s time in the town, airstrikes damaged scores of homes, businesses, and government buildings; others were burned, creating clouds of smoke to hide ISIS troops from aerial attack. RI met IDPs who were living in abandoned houses or shops because their homes were destroyed in the fighting.

When Iraqi security forces finally entered the town earlier this year, they discovered that it was filled with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). One army officer told RI that more than half of all homes contained IEDs, rigged to kill both soldier — When Iraqi security forces finally entered the town earlier this year, they discovered that it was filled with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). One army officer told RI that more than half of all homes contained IEDs, rigged to kill both soldiers and civilians. As homes are deemed safe by IED removal teams, they are marked “clear” in red spray-paint.

Ahmed* told RI he suffered more than 40 shrapnel wounds after an airstrike hit his home in 2015. He lived as an IDP for more than a year and could not afford proper medical care for himself or school fees for his children. Now he is trying to get ba — Ahmed* told RI he suffered more than 40 shrapnel wounds after an airstrike hit his home in 2015. He lived as an IDP for more than a year and could not afford proper medical care for himself or school fees for his children. Now he is trying to get back on his feet by selling produce to returning families.

During RI’s visit, returnees lined up to receive assistance from an aid organization. One local resident told RI, “The military and politicians have provided a small amount of aid. But now more people are coming back, so we need more assistance.”&nb — During RI’s visit, returnees lined up to receive assistance from an aid organization. One local resident told RI, “The military and politicians have provided a small amount of aid. But now more people are coming back, so we need more assistance.”

An Iraqi soldier directs the crowd as packages of food and cleaning supplies are handed out. To reach the distribution site, aid agencies have to pass multiple security checkpoints, manned by both Iraqi government forces and militias.

When ISIS is pushed out of towns like this one, Iraqi aid organizations are almost always the first to arrive. Local knowledge and connections allow them to move in quickly, but a severe lack of funding limits the amount of aid they can deliver.

Despite the damage and the limited assistance, hundreds of families have tried to return to Anbar in the last three months. Some have been barred from returning because they can’t get security clearances. No one knows how many families across Iraq h — Despite the damage and the limited assistance, hundreds of families have tried to return to Anbar in the last three months. Some have been barred from returning because they can’t get security clearances. No one knows how many families across Iraq have been prevented from returning in this way, with little chance of appeal.

Khaled* returned home with his cousin and is working to re-open their family’s shop. They exhausted their savings after three years of displacement and have no choice but to buy supplies on credit. As one local resident told RI, “Even if people fled — Khaled* returned home with his cousin and is working to re-open their family’s shop. They exhausted their savings after three years of displacement and have no choice but to buy supplies on credit. As one local resident told RI, “Even if people fled the town with thousands of dollars, they are all coming home poor.”

Roadblocks at the entrance to the town read, “Yes, yes to Iraq. No, no to terrorism.” Both ISIS’s barbarism and the anti-ISIS military campaign continue to uproot Iraqi families. And even where ISIS no longer operates, the physical and social damage — Roadblocks at the entrance to the town read, “Yes, yes to Iraq. No, no to terrorism.” Both ISIS’s barbarism and the anti-ISIS military campaign continue to uproot Iraqi families. And even where ISIS no longer operates, the physical and social damage left behind will take years to heal.