Why many Fallujah residents have yet to return home
The city of Fallujah is not safe enough yet for residents to return, as IS cells are still operating and some are afraid of revenge by the Iraqi forces.
FALLUJAH, Iraq — Two car bombs hit central Fallujah Nov. 14, killing several civilians and members of the security forces. A curfew has been imposed. This is the first security breach in the city after its liberation in June.
Almost five months after being retaken from the Islamic State (IS) following hard-won battles lasting several weeks, Iraq’s "city of mosques" is slowly being repopulated.
Several mosques can be seen from the city's main streets, damaged but still standing. A popular restaurant called Badiya (Desert) seems busy during lunchtime, mostly with security forces. Central streets have been cleared, and many of the city’s severely damaged, pastel and desert-colored, low-slung buildings are under repair.
Fallujah Mayor Issa Saer al-Assawi told Al-Monitor that many basic services had been partially restored and that about half of the inhabitants had returned to the city as of Nov. 9.
