Civilians Emerge From Mosul’s Rubble Starving, Injured and Traumatized<br />And even after the Islamic State’s defeat, the Iraqi forces face the arduous task of clearing<br />the city of improvised explosive devices and booby traps left behind by the Islamic State.<br />Aid groups in the region lack the resources to deal with the those who suffered the most severe deprivation<br />and violence under the Islamic State, Mr. Geddo said.<br />Some have been hiding in basements for weeks as the fierce fighting between the Iraqi military and Islamic State forces raged around them.<br />Aid groups working with civilians displaced by the fighting say<br />that those that have managed to escape or be evacuated by the Iraqi military come to camps malnourished and often are injured from the battle raging around them.<br />Mr. Geddo said Mosul’s displaced residents were often "totally emotionally<br />and physically exhausted" by the time they made it to the camps, whether by escape or military evacuation.<br />Civilians have long been caught between Islamic State snipers, who target those trying to leave,<br />and heavy bombardment from Iraqi and coalition forces.
