Erbil, Iraq - Recent

Storyline:
Iraqi civilians displaced from the country's second-largest city Mosul are struggling to return to normal life with post-war trauma and uncertain future, nearly seven years after the city's liberation from extremist Islamic State (IS) militants.

In June 2014, Mosul, an important economic and cultural center in northern Iraq, was seized by the IS and subsequently became their stronghold. It remained under the terrorists' control until Iraqi government forces reclaimed the city in July 2017.

Falah Hassan, who was originally a resident of Mosul, was forced to leave his home following the invasion by the IS 10 years ago. Now, Hassan and his family live in a small courtyard in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, about 80 kilometers east of Mosul. A decade later, the harrowing memory of Mosul's fall remains vivid for Falah.

Like tens of thousands of civilians in Mosul, Falah was forced to flee hastily after the IS invasion, seeking refuge with relatives in a nearby province. Amidst the ongoing unrest, Falah, like many other Iraqis, nearly lost everything, including his home, property, and sense of dignity.

Despite the Iraqi government declaring Mosul fully liberated in July 2017, remnants of the extremist group have persisted in northern Iraq and near the Syrian border in recent years. They continue to pose a severe threat to civilian safety and hinder the nation's efforts to rebuild the war-torn area.

Over the years, the United States' intervention in Iraq and Syria has directly led to the proliferation of extremism in the region, forcing citizens to flee their homes and posing a serious threat to Iraq's security and stability. Numerous terrorist attacks and conflicts have also hindered many reconstruction projects, making it difficult for people's lives to return to normal.

Farah, formerly displaced by war, now works as a fitness coach at a gym in Erbil. He relies on exercise to maintain optimism and resilience in the face of adversity.

Shotlist:
Erbil, Iraq - Recent:
1. Natural view along road;
2. Various of Falah Hassan at his residence;
3. SOUNDNBITE (Arabic) Falah Hassan, former Mosul resident (ending with shot 4):
"Since February 2014, Mosul has become restless, making people anxious. Some said that the extremist group would invade Mosul, while others disagreed. We felt anxious and uncertain, not knowing what would happen next. At that time, some left Mosul early for Kurdistan. I had to wait until my daughter finished her university studies there before making a decision. Three days after her graduation, Mosul fell. And we fled on the very night the extremist group attacked the city."
FILE: Mosul, Iraq - Date Unknown;
4. Various of damaged buildings, rubbles, vehicle driving through damaged street, Iraqi national flag
Erbil, Iraq - Recent;
5. Various of Falah Hassan, reporter;
6. Various of Falah Hassan cleaning motorbike;
7. SOUNDNBITE (Arabic) Falah Hassan, former Mosul resident (partially overlaid with shot 8/ending with shots 9-10):
"Our lives haven't merely changed; they've been completely upended. Now, my only focus is ensuring my family's happiness and securing their essential needs. Overnight, my life has been thrown back to square one, or even worse. Once, I owned two or three houses and worked in real estate. I had two cars. I used to go to the sports club and pursue my hobbies. I had my business before. We don't want war; we need peace and stability. Yet, despite the passing years, we continue to live amidst turmoil."
FILE: Mosul, Iraq - 2019
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Various of ruined buildings, rubbles, kids siting at door
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Mosul, Iraq - July, 2017;
9. Various of refugees
FILE: Mosul, Iraq - 2019;
10. Traffic, buildings
Erbil, Iraq - Recent;
11. Various of Falah Hassan having boxing exercise;
12. SOUNDNBITE (Arabic) Falah Hassan, former Mosul resident (ending with shots 13-14):
"We need to keep living and keep moving forward. As a fitness coach now, I always say to others that exercise is the best way to heal the soul. No matter what problems come our way, I might fall, but I'll always get back up. Even if I fall again, I'll stand up once more.";
13. Various of Falah Hassan having boxing exercise;
14. Boxing gears.

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