Feature: Homecoming remains dream out of reach for many displaced Iraqis

MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Standing in a long line in mud and puddles on the ground, Um Wasim waited anxiously for her turn to get fuel and blankets.

The temperature in Khazir Camp has fallen after a heavy rain and Wasim had to make some preparation for the chilly winter night.

"I have nine children to take care of. The war is over. I wish I could leave this camp and go back to my village with my family," said Wasim.

Forced to leave Badush village to the west of Mosul by the unstable security situation in March 2017, Wasim came to Khazir Camp, about 50 kilometers to the east of Mosul. She always dreamed about returning home, especially after Mosul was liberated in July 2017.

"The current security situation in my village is very good. There is no attack any more. I wish to go back as soon as possible," said Wasim. "But my house was completely destroyed by extremists and I have no money to rebuild my home or rent another house, so I have no choice but to stay in this camp."

"Homecoming is the dream of everyone here, but seemingly it will take a very long time for our dream to come true," Wasim said.

The harsh rule of Islamic State (IS) and the conflict between Iraqi forces and IS have left massive destruction to Mosul and neighboring region. According to United Nations, over 1 million civilians were forced to leave their home in Iraq. Even though the victory has been declared by Iraqi government, these displaced Iraqis find no date to return to their home.

Twana Anwer, Manager of Khazir Camp, said that one of the most important reasons that prevents IDPs (Internally displaced people) from returning home is the slow progress in the reconstruction.

The Old City of western Mosul is the hardest-hit area during the war in the past few years. According to Iraqi official statistics, more than 60 percent of buildings in the Old City were completely destroyed and another 30 percent suffered severe damage, and only less than 10 percent are slightly damaged.

Ahmed Jassim, a local official in charge of reconstruction of western Mosul, said that among the 100,000 population in the Old City, only about 1,000 families have returned since the liberation in July 2017. That is less than 10 percent of the whole population.

"We have started to clean the major streets in the Old City after it was liberated, but the streets are packed with damaged vehicles and wreckages, so the progress is not fast. The cleaning in the Old City is especially difficult due to the narrow alleys and close-spaced houses. We need special vehicles that can work in narrow spaces, and we need the residents to work with us," Jassim said.

Apart from reconstruction, security is another concern.

Ali Hussein left his home in Sinjar in 2014 and came to Khazir Camp in February 2017 when the battle started in western Mosul.

He said "I want to go home, but even though IS was defeated in my hometown, I don't dare to go back because I am afraid of Yazidis."

Sinjar is a town located in the west of Nineveh Province. Most of the residents are Yazidi people. This town was controlled by IS in August 2014 and many Yazidis were slaughtered or abducted under the rule of IS.

Due to the fact that IS is largely a Sunni-Arabic jihadist group, Yazidis took revenge on Arabic civilians in Sinjar after IS was defeated.

Hussein said "some of my friends were persecuted by Yazidis, even got killed. How can I dare to go back?"

"IS destroyed everything, my home, my dream. My biggest wish in the new year is that I could go back home," added Hussein. Enditem