Mosul Rebuilds Ten Years After ISIL, Yet Displacement Persists

In a recent Al Jazeera English report, Peter Smith travelled to Mosul to capture a city still scarred by the battle that began a decade ago when Iraqi forces moved to liberate the city from ISIL. The footage shows streets where once‑standing minarets now share space with temporary shelters, and families who have returned to partially restored homes while still grappling with the shadow of displacement. As Global1.News’ African correspondent, I trace the threads of Mosul’s reconstruction, linking them to broader trends of post‑conflict recovery across the continent, where the balance between rebuilding infrastructure and addressing human displacement remains a delicate dance.

From Liberation to Ruins: The Ten‑Year Journey

The Al Jazeera video reminds viewers that the 2016‑2017 offensive that drove ISIL out of Mosul left the city in a state of near‑total devastation. Heavy artillery and aerial bombardment reduced large swathes of the historic old town to rubble, and the report underscores how the physical scars mirror the psychological wounds of its residents. The footage of crumbling façades and makeshift markets illustrates the scale of the destruction that Iraqi authorities and international donors have been tasked to reverse.

Peter Smith notes that, ten years on, reconstruction efforts have focused on restoring essential services—electricity, water, and health facilities—while also attempting to revive the cultural heritage that once defined Mosul’s identity. The video shows workers repairing a damaged bridge and families moving into newly plastered houses, signalling a gradual return to normalcy. Yet the narrative is tempered by the visible presence of displaced families still living in temporary shelters on the city’s outskirts.

Across Africa, similar patterns emerge in post‑conflict zones such as South Sudan’s Juba and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Goma, where the physical rebuilding of cities often outpaces the resolution of displacement crises. Mosul’s experience, as captured in the Al Jazeera footage, offers a microcosm of the continent’s broader challenge: how to rebuild not just walls, but also the social fabric torn apart by war.

Reconstruction Milestones and Ongoing Gaps

The report highlights several reconstruction milestones. Notably, the restoration of Mosul’s main market, Al‑Nouri, is shown bustling with vendors selling fresh produce and traditional crafts. This revival of commerce signals a critical step toward economic recovery, echoing similar market revivals in Nigerian towns like Kano after insurgent attacks. The footage also captures the reopening of a primary school, where children are seen returning to classrooms for the first time in years.

Despite these advances, the video makes clear that gaps remain. Many neighborhoods still lack fully functional water pipelines, and electricity supply is described as intermittent. The footage of a dimly lit street at dusk, illuminated only by a few street lamps, underscores the uneven pace of service delivery. Such disparities are not unique to Mosul; they reflect a continental trend where urban reconstruction often favours central districts while peripheral areas lag behind.

In the African context, the uneven distribution of reconstruction resources has sparked debates about equity and governance. Mosul’s story, as presented by Al Jazeera, serves as a cautionary tale for policymakers across the continent: without a coordinated approach that reaches the most vulnerable, reconstruction can inadvertently deepen existing inequalities.

Displacement: A Persistent Shadow

The most poignant element of the Al Jazeera footage is the continued displacement of Mosul’s residents. The video shows rows of tents and makeshift shelters on the city’s periphery, where families who fled the fighting remain unable to return to their original homes. Peter Smith points out that, despite the physical rebuilding of houses, many households lack the financial means to repair or replace belongings lost during the conflict.

This lingering displacement mirrors the situation in many African post‑conflict settings, where internally displaced persons (IDPs) often settle in informal camps for years after hostilities cease. In Nigeria’s northeast, for example, the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency has left millions in protracted displacement, struggling to rebuild livelihoods while awaiting permanent housing solutions.

The Al Jazeera report does not provide exact numbers, but the visual evidence of crowded shelters and the testimonies of residents convey a stark reality: reconstruction of buildings alone does not resolve the human cost of war. Addressing displacement requires integrated programmes that combine shelter, livelihood support, and psychosocial services—a lesson that resonates across the African continent.

Economic Revival and Youth Prospects

One of the brighter scenes in the video is the emergence of small enterprises along Mosul’s rebuilt streets. Young entrepreneurs are shown setting up kiosks selling mobile phone accessories and traditional sweets, signalling a nascent revival of the city’s informal economy. This entrepreneurial spirit is reminiscent of the youthful dynamism seen in many African cities recovering from conflict, where informal trade often becomes the engine of early economic recovery.

The report also captures a group of university students attending a lecture in a refurbished lecture hall, highlighting the importance of education in rebuilding human capital. Their presence underscores a broader African trend: post‑conflict societies increasingly invest in youth education as a pathway to long‑term stability and growth.

However, the video subtly hints at challenges. The students appear to be using outdated textbooks, and the entrepreneurs operate in cramped stalls, suggesting that while the desire to rebuild is strong, access to capital and modern infrastructure remains limited. Across Africa, similar constraints hinder the scaling up of small businesses and the modernization of education systems in post‑war contexts.

International Aid and Local Governance

The Al Jazeera footage includes brief remarks from local officials who credit international donors for funding key reconstruction projects. While the report does not name specific agencies, the presence of newly paved roads and renovated public buildings implies substantial external assistance. This aligns with the broader pattern of international aid playing a pivotal role in post‑conflict reconstruction across the continent, from the United Nations’ involvement in Sierra Leone to the World Bank’s projects in post‑war Liberia.

Nevertheless, the video also hints at tensions between aid agencies and local governance structures. Some residents are shown questioning the speed and transparency of reconstruction contracts, echoing concerns raised in other African contexts where donor‑driven projects sometimes clash with local priorities. Effective coordination between international donors, national authorities, and community leaders remains essential to ensure that rebuilding efforts are both efficient and locally relevant.

In the African experience, successful reconstruction often hinges on building the capacity of local institutions to manage funds and oversee projects. Mosul’s ongoing challenges, as depicted in the Al Jazeera report, illustrate the need for stronger governance mechanisms that can translate aid into tangible, equitable outcomes for all citizens.

Looking Forward: Lessons for Africa’s Rebuilding Journeys

Peter Smith’s on‑the‑ground reporting offers more than a snapshot of Mosul’s physical recovery; it provides a lens through which to examine the broader dynamics of post‑conflict reconstruction in Africa. The city’s partial resurgence, juxtaposed with persistent displacement, underscores that rebuilding is a multi‑dimensional process that must address infrastructure, livelihoods, and social cohesion simultaneously.

For African policymakers, Mosul’s experience highlights several actionable lessons. First, reconstruction plans should integrate housing solutions with livelihood programmes to prevent protracted displacement. Second, equitable allocation of resources across all neighborhoods can mitigate the risk of deepening urban inequalities. Third, empowering local governance structures to manage aid and oversee projects can enhance transparency and community ownership.

As Mosul continues its decade‑long journey from ruins to renewal, the city’s story, captured in the Al Jazeera footage, serves as a reminder that the path to lasting peace and prosperity is paved not only with bricks and mortar, but also with the resilience of its people and the commitment of leaders—both local and international—to address the full spectrum of post‑war needs. The lessons drawn from Mosul will undoubtedly inform the next wave of African rebuilding efforts, as nations across the continent strive to turn the scars of conflict into foundations for a more stable and hopeful future.

By Sarah Okafor, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: Al Jazeera English video report (17 October 2026); Al Jazeera English; Global1.News