UN official: Fight against ISIL in Iraq left huge destruction
BAGHDAD - The Associated Press
A senior United Nations official says the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) has left behind massive destruction in Iraq and enormous planning and investment are needed for rebuilding.
Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira told The Associated Press on Nov. 7 that the level of destruction in liberated areas "is really, really huge." Kacyira is visiting Iraq to evaluate the destruction.
After a fierce, nearly three-year fight with the extremist group, which once controlled large swaths in northern and western Iraq, U.S.-backed Iraqi forces succeeded in driving out the militants from nearly all the areas - but at a high cost.
Thousands were left dead, entire neighborhoods are in ruins and more than 3 million have been displaced from their homes.
