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Smell of death fills Mosul

The bodies of Islamic State fighters lie in the streets of the liberated areas of Mosul, which is causing concern about the physical and psychological well-being of the city's residents.

A member of Iraqi rapid response forces holds a flower during battle with Islamic State militants in the Mithaq district of eastern Mosul, Iraq, January 4, 2017.  REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2XITM
A member of Iraqi rapid response forces smells a flower during the battle with Islamic State fighters in the Mithaq district of eastern Mosul, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2017. — REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

MOSUL, Iraq — With the launch of the second phase of the Mosul operations Dec. 29, tens of bodies of killed Islamic State (IS) fighters were strewn across the streets in the neighborhoods of al-Salam, al-Intisar, al-Wihda, Palestine and al-Quds in eastern Mosul, as was the case in neighborhoods that were previously liberated.

Residents do not want to bury the bodies for fear of them carrying explosives or being infected with diseases, or for fear of being affiliated with the dead fighters.

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