Choose not to forget

This week, the Iraqi Prime Minister declared the battle for Mosul over. He traveled to the city to congratulate the military forces on their successful fight to re-capture the city from ISIS. This news then popped up on my facebook feed from multiple friends in the West sharing various reports. Interestingly, none of my local friends shared the story on social media. We didn't even really discuss it in the office. For those of us so close to the fight, still caught up in responding to the effects of war, still seeing multiple reports every day of attacks inside Mosul, still choosing to head in to areas full of destruction in order to provide what services we can; it is too early to celebrate. We know that this is not the end. We know that re-building Mosul is going to take years. We know that there are further battles for land across Iraq to be fought - Tel Afar, Anbar, Hawiga. All places you are probably not even hearing about. We have already seen in the last two weeks a massive up-surge in the number of suicide attacks carried out by ISIS in Iraq. This will be the tactic they use now. 10 days ago a suicide bomber disguised as a female IDP blew himself up inside a camp. Late last week ISIS launched an attack on a village 2km south of our camp, they took everyone by surprise, forcibly abducting residents, bringing them back behind frontlines, and then sending them back to their village with explosives strapped to them. The locals couldn't repel them and now ISIS have controlled that village for several days. I have no doubt that in a few days the Iraqi Army will have pushed them back again, but it's a stark reminder of the resources ISIS still have. These are just two incidents out of tens of incidents we have heard about in the last 2 weeks.

So please do celebrate the re-capture of Mosul. It is truly good news for those who were living under ISIS control against their will. But please don't forget to pray for the re-building of that city and this country. Don't forget those who continue to live under ISIS control in other parts of Iraq. Remember families who have been torn apart by this war. Choose not to forget even if the news coverage moves on.