Iraqi battle for Mosul prompts fears of more sectarian violence

By Ingrid Formanek, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Muhammad Jambaz, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 9:48 AM EST, Mon November 21, 2016
Members of the Iraqi federal police wave the country's flag as they celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on July 9, 2017. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/09/middleeast/iraq-mosul-victory-claimed/index.html" target="_blank">Iraq declared victory against ISIS forces in Mosul </a>after a grueling monthslong campaign. The battle to reclaim Mosul, the last major ISIS stronghold in Iraq, has been underway since fall 2016.
Members of the Iraqi federal police wave the country's flag as they celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on July 9, 2017. Iraq declared victory against ISIS forces in Mosul after a grueling monthslong campaign. The battle to reclaim Mosul, the last major ISIS stronghold in Iraq, has been underway since fall 2016.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images
This injured girl was found by Iraqi forces as they <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/29/middleeast/iraq-mosul-fighting/index.html" target="_blank">advanced against ISIS militants</a> in the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3. She was carried away for medical assistance.
This injured girl was found by Iraqi forces as they advanced against ISIS militants in the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3. She was carried away for medical assistance.
Felipe Dana/AP
A suspected ISIS fighter is held in a basement while Iraqi forces continue to push for control of the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3.
A suspected ISIS fighter is held in a basement while Iraqi forces continue to push for control of the Old City of Mosul on Monday, July 3.
Felipe Dana/AP
An Iraqi Special Forces soldier exchanges fire with ISIS militants in the Old City on Friday, June 30.
An Iraqi Special Forces soldier exchanges fire with ISIS militants in the Old City on Friday, June 30.
Felipe Dana/AP
A bomb explodes near the al-Nuri mosque complex on Thursday, June 29. Iraq's military has seized the remains of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri. Iraq and the United States have accused ISIS of blowing up the historic mosque.
A bomb explodes near the al-Nuri mosque complex on Thursday, June 29. Iraq's military has seized the remains of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri. Iraq and the United States have accused ISIS of blowing up the historic mosque.
Felipe Dana/AP
Members of the Iraqi Federal Police hold a position as US-led coalition forces advance through the Old City on Wednesday, June 28.
Members of the Iraqi Federal Police hold a position as US-led coalition forces advance through the Old City on Wednesday, June 28.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
The remnants of Mosul's ancient leaning minaret are seen in the Old City on Sunday, June 25. ISIS' claim that US warplanes were responsible for the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/21/world/mosul-iraq-mosque-destroyed/index.html">destruction of the minaret </a>is "1,000% false," US officials told CNN.
The remnants of Mosul's ancient leaning minaret are seen in the Old City on Sunday, June 25. ISIS' claim that US warplanes were responsible for the destruction of the minaret is "1,000% false," US officials told CNN.
MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images
Two boys comfort each other after their home collapsed during fighting between Iraqi forces and militants in Mosul on Saturday, June 24. The boys, who are cousins, said some of their relatives were still under the rubble.
Two boys comfort each other after their home collapsed during fighting between Iraqi forces and militants in Mosul on Saturday, June 24. The boys, who are cousins, said some of their relatives were still under the rubble.
Felipe Dana/AP
An Iraqi soldier helps transport a girl as residents flee their homes west of Mosul on Friday, May 26.
An Iraqi soldier helps transport a girl as residents flee their homes west of Mosul on Friday, May 26.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images
Displaced Iraqis make their way through rubble after evacuating their homes in a neighborhood of west Mosul on Wednesday, May 17.
Displaced Iraqis make their way through rubble after evacuating their homes in a neighborhood of west Mosul on Wednesday, May 17.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images
An Iraqi man tries to extinguish a burning car during fighting in Mosul's western Rifai neighborhood on Tuesday, May 16.
An Iraqi man tries to extinguish a burning car during fighting in Mosul's western Rifai neighborhood on Tuesday, May 16.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
A member of the Iraqi counterterrorism service secures a building as troops push toward Mosul's Al-Oraibi western district on Sunday, May 14.
A member of the Iraqi counterterrorism service secures a building as troops push toward Mosul's Al-Oraibi western district on Sunday, May 14.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
A smoke cloud rises on the front line as the Iraqi Emergency Response Division advances in west Mosul on Saturday, May 6.
A smoke cloud rises on the front line as the Iraqi Emergency Response Division advances in west Mosul on Saturday, May 6.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images
A wounded man is transported in western Mosul on Friday, April 21.
A wounded man is transported in western Mosul on Friday, April 21.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
An Iraqi federal policeman smokes during a break from battle on Wednesday, April 12.
An Iraqi federal policeman smokes during a break from battle on Wednesday, April 12.
Carl Court/Getty Images
A member of Iraq's security forces stands guard in eastern Mosul as smoke rises from the ISIS-controlled western section of the city on Friday, April 7.
A member of Iraq's security forces stands guard in eastern Mosul as smoke rises from the ISIS-controlled western section of the city on Friday, April 7.
AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images
Iraqis visit a bath house on the southern outskirts of Mosul on Wednesday, April 5.
Iraqis visit a bath house on the southern outskirts of Mosul on Wednesday, April 5.
AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images
Flames billow from an explosion in Mosul during a clash between Iraqi forces and ISIS fighters on Sunday, March 5.
Flames billow from an explosion in Mosul during a clash between Iraqi forces and ISIS fighters on Sunday, March 5.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
Families are forced to evacuate as Iraqi forces advance in western Mosul on Thursday, March 2. The <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/05/middleeast/number-of-iraqis-fleeing-mosul-nears-60000/">number of internally displaced people has surged</a> as the offensive effort has intensified.
Families are forced to evacuate as Iraqi forces advance in western Mosul on Thursday, March 2. The number of internally displaced people has surged as the offensive effort has intensified.
Martyn Aim/Getty Images
Mosul residents cross a damaged bridge in the al-Sukkar neighborhood on Saturday, January 21.
Mosul residents cross a damaged bridge in the al-Sukkar neighborhood on Saturday, January 21.
DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images
French President Francois Hollande and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, right, view territory held by ISIS during a visit to a military outpost near Mosul on Monday, January 2.
French President Francois Hollande and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, right, view territory held by ISIS during a visit to a military outpost near Mosul on Monday, January 2.
CHRISTOPHE ENA/AFP/Getty Images
A young girl takes part in a Christmas Day Mass at a church in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. The area's churches were heavily damaged by ISIS militants before the town was freed by Iraqi forces during the Mosul offensive.
A young girl takes part in a Christmas Day Mass at a church in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. The area's churches were heavily damaged by ISIS militants before the town was freed by Iraqi forces during the Mosul offensive.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Iraqi Shiite fighters ride through a desert area near the village of Al-Boutha al-Sharqiyah, west of Mosul, on Friday, December 2.
Iraqi Shiite fighters ride through a desert area near the village of Al-Boutha al-Sharqiyah, west of Mosul, on Friday, December 2.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
Internally displaced Iraqis who fled the fighting in Mosul watch as a civilian drone films them at the al-Khazir camp on Thursday, December 1.
Internally displaced Iraqis who fled the fighting in Mosul watch as a civilian drone films them at the al-Khazir camp on Thursday, December 1.
THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
An Iraqi soldier searches a home for ISIS militants after Iraqi forces retook the village of Al-Qasr on Wednesday, November 30.
An Iraqi soldier searches a home for ISIS militants after Iraqi forces retook the village of Al-Qasr on Wednesday, November 30.
Manu Brabo/AP
Iraqi soldiers transport a comrade who was injured during a battle near the village of Haj Ali on Tuesday, November 29.
Iraqi soldiers transport a comrade who was injured during a battle near the village of Haj Ali on Tuesday, November 29.
Hussein Malla/AP
A man mourns during the funeral of four Iraqi paramilitary fighters who were killed in battles in the town of Tal Afar.
A man mourns during the funeral of four Iraqi paramilitary fighters who were killed in battles in the town of Tal Afar.
HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI/AFP/Getty Images
Displaced civilians return to the village of Tall Abtah on Friday, November 25, after Iraqi forces retook the village from ISIS.