Iraqi refugees return home to Tikrit
Hundreds of people displaced from the Iraqi city of Tikrit have begun returning home.
It’s three months since pro government forces recaptured former president Saddam Hussein’s home town from ISIL militants.
Largely deserted since then it’s not clear what conditions will be like for the 300 or so families when they arrive.
The local governor, Raid al-Jibouri Saladdin said that an exceptional effort is being made by Tikrit’s services department to restore the basics such as water, electricity and health . Security is also a priority in order to provide protection for the returning families.
Iraqi officials say they are concerned that ISIL militants could re-establish a presence in places from which they have been driven out by infiltrating the return population.
But failure to resettle strengthens ISIL’s narrative that Iraqi Sunnis are better off under their rule than that of the Shi’ite-led government or Kurdish forces.
Other towns in eastern Iraq remain empty, months afte
It’s three months since pro government forces recaptured former president Saddam Hussein’s home town from ISIL militants.
Largely deserted since then it’s not clear what conditions will be like for the 300 or so families when they arrive.
The local governor, Raid al-Jibouri Saladdin said that an exceptional effort is being made by Tikrit’s services department to restore the basics such as water, electricity and health . Security is also a priority in order to provide protection for the returning families.
Iraqi officials say they are concerned that ISIL militants could re-establish a presence in places from which they have been driven out by infiltrating the return population.
But failure to resettle strengthens ISIL’s narrative that Iraqi Sunnis are better off under their rule than that of the Shi’ite-led government or Kurdish forces.
Other towns in eastern Iraq remain empty, months afte