Iraq's black present

Since October 17, the military offensive to liberate the stronghold of the self-proclaimed Islamic State has officially begun in Iraq, involving at least 30 thousand men. Under the leadership of the international coalition, the attack is proceeding on several fronts thanks to the support of the Iraqi Federal Police, the Kurdish armed forces Peshmerga, the fighters of the Sunni tribes and the Popular Mobilization Forces -Shia militias- who are formally banned from entering Mosul.

In addition to being a strategic military location, the Qayyarah district is a land rich in natural resources, such as sulfur and oil. The two main fields in the region, Qayyarah and Najma, produced thirty thousand barrels of crude oil per day before being captured by the jihadist group.

This reportage was realised together with journalist Sara Manisera.
Published here: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera 2, The New Arab, The New Arab 2, Internazionale, RSI video, Ruptly Video, LookOut News, Altreconomia, Jesus Magazine, Lifegate, Donne Fuori dal Buio WEBDOC, La Repubblica, Open Migration, VICE