Services improve under IS in Mosul
Some say there is a silver lining to the Islamic State’s takeover of Mosul in Iraq, namely an improvement in services, in an apparent attempt by the group to gain legitimacy and garner the support of Mosul residents.
Joining the stench of lead filling the air of the battlegrounds, puffs of dust are also wafting through Mosul’s streets. This time, it was not the result of air raids by the Islamic State’s (IS) bombing of a mosque, shrine or other building. The dust came in fact from road-paving and cleaning and lighting projects, among others. The city has not witnessed such works since 2003, and many are asking why they're happening now.
When asked about services 10 months into IS rule, 15 people living in different areas of the city told Al-Monitor that Mosul has become cleaner than it was under the Iraqi government’s control, and its services have been improving. Residents outside Mosul were surprised.
What kind of change in services took place in Mosul, though?
IS quickly got involved in all departments, including the Municipality Directorate, where its influence started before the fall of Mosul in June 2014. IS succeeded in deploying its members in all departments and institutions to blackmail the managers and employees in Iraq.
