Women wearing brightly-coloured clothes without face veils and black coverings can be seen once again in the streets of eastern Mosul.<br /><br />Restrictions imposed by Islamic State militants have been lifted, after jihadists were expelled from the city by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces.<br /><br />Under Islamic State’s rule, women were required to largely stay at home or wear head-to-toe black coverings if they ventured out.<br /><br />Store owners say it made women fearful to come into shops and buy anything.<br /><br />After nine months of fighting, the city of Mosul was declared liberated on July 10 by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. <br /><br />In total, 80 percent of the city as a whole has reportedly suffered damage or been destroyed by fighting, leaving behind a mammoth task of rebuilding.<br />
