Iraq News
Security

Haditha shakes off dust of ISIL siege

By Alaa Hussain in Baghdad

A soccer tournament is currently being held in the Haditha Dam soccer stadium. Life is returning to normal after a two-year long siege by the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' on Haditha was lifted. [Photo courtesy of Sheikh Abdullah al-Jughaifi]

A soccer tournament is currently being held in the Haditha Dam soccer stadium. Life is returning to normal after a two-year long siege by the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' on Haditha was lifted. [Photo courtesy of Sheikh Abdullah al-Jughaifi]

Booming markets, streets abuzz with life, classrooms filled with students. These images depict life in the city of Haditha today after two years of being under siege by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL).

The Anbar province city blocked ISIL's repeated attempts to control it for more than two years despite the group's control of most of the neighbouring cities.

Haditha mayor Mabrouk Hamid told Diyaruna that the security situation in the city over the past few months has been "excellent" since the siege was lifted and the cities of Ramadi, Heet and other areas to the west of the province were liberated .

"Markets today are booming and the economic situation is getting better by the day and by the week," he said. "Food is plentiful after the Ministry of Trade made sure to provide the district with the items on the food ration cards."

The Iraqi army re-opened and secured the roads between Baghdad and Haditha which significantly contributed to securing the transport of goods into the city, he said.

"The liberation of the Baiji-Haditha road will provide another outlet and a vital vein that links the city with Salaheddine and Kirkuk provinces, in addition to Ninawa after its liberation," he said.

Services resume

Government service agencies have resumed their work, including the municipalities of water, sanitation, and electricity and the roads and bridges agencies.

"The Anbar branch of the Oil Products Distribution Company is also properly functioning and is producing enough gasoline, gas oil, white oil and cooking gas for consumers without any issues," Hamid said.

With regard to education, he said, Haditha schools, unlike other schools in Anbar province , did not close their doors over the past two years and continued to provide education to students despite the siege, threats and bombardment from ISIL.

"Not one school closed its doors in central Haditha or its sub-districts of Barwana and al-Haqlaniya," he said, adding that the current school year is a success as students are regularly attending classes.

Sports are also making a comeback with a soccer tournament taking place in the Haditha Dam soccer stadium, supported and sponsored by Ahrar al-Furat, a group affiliated with the tribal mobilisation forces, he added.

Hamid called for additional support in the health sector "as Haditha only has one hospital and it is likely to come under pressure during the liberation of Rawa, Anah and al-Qaim, which do not have hospitals of their own".

Haditha will be included in the reconstruction efforts like other Iraqi cities that fell under ISIL control, said Rajeh Barakat, member of the provincial council's services committee.

The city "will receive financial support from international organisations to rebuild its damaged areas", he told Diyaruna.

Ongoing vigilance

Members of the security forces and the tribal mobilisation forces in Haditha are keeping up vigilance in the face of any recurring threat from ISIL.

"Haditha enjoys a high level of security but as long as ISIL has a foothold in the towns of Anah, Rawa and al-Qaim in western Anbar, the threat of the group remains," said Awad al-Jughaifi, a tribal mobilisation forces commander.

He called on the Iraqi government to expedite the liberation of these cities and enhance security in the whole province "until the terrorists are completely expunged from the area".

Tribal mobilisation fighters are capable of protecting their city just like they have over the past few years against ISIL attacks, he told Diyaruna.

"Today, they are in dire need of more support, armament and other equipment to keep up the military pressure on the group," he added.

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