WASHINGTON DC – Tens of thousands of civilians in Iraqi Mosul are facing problems accessing clean water, fuel and electricity because of deteriorating conditions under the rule of their Islamic State occupiers, according to a US official.
“While we are not in a position to provide specific data,” said Jen Psaki, spokesperson for the US Department of State, in an email to Rudaw on Tuesday, “the economic conditions in ISIL-held territory, including Mosul, have deteriorated since ISIL’s offensive in June.”
ISIS or ISIL occupied Iraq’s second largest city in June in an offensive in which Iraqi forces fled, abandoning their American-supplied weaponry.
“Electricity provision has declined, fuel and food prices have spiked, clean water is in short supply, and trade and local commerce have been disrupted,” she added. “Many government workers have also been unable to collect their salaries, and ISIL routinely taxes and extorts funds from households and businesses,” she added.
The US assessment of Mosul's economy has been made based on press reporting and Embassy contacts in the area, according to Psaki.
Some of the economic setbacks facing residents and fighters in IS-held territories in Iraq are likely a result of the recent loss of a major town and a border-crossing to Kurdish Peshmwrga forces.
The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that over the past few days Iraqi Kurds have captured the northern town of Zumar after securing the Rabia border crossing, which IS used to move fighters and supplies Syria and Mosul.
The U.S. and its partners hope that the deterioration of living standards in the predominately Sunni areas will make the subject populations revolt against IS. But such a possibility is remote until a more inclusive and functioning government emerges in Baghdad.
