The families come in waves, trudging through the ruins of Old Mosul as Iraqi and coalition forces capture buildings one by one. They are starving and cry out for water. Children are covered in rashes. It is more than 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees F), and dead IS fighters rot in the searing rubble. Many people have no shoes. These are Islamic State's last victims in Mosul as the militants' rule here collapses. Many of the people fleeing the city now are widely believed to be the families of IS militants, both living and dead.
Militants' Families Are Islamic State's Last Casualties
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Families fleeing are starving and crying out for water as they reach Iraqi forces in Mosul, July 5, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA)
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Children fleeing Old Mosul are often covered in rashes parents say are caused by bad food, lack of water and the heat, in Mosul, Iraq, July 5, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA)
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This woman collapses, saying she can walk no further in the 45-degree Celsius heat after months of food and water shortages, in Mosul, Iraq, July, 5, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA)
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Soldiers in Old Mosul say in recent days at least 40 suicide bombers disguised as refugees have exploded themselves as they approached Iraqi forces. Most have only killed themselves, but soldiers and civilians have been killed and maimed. Mosul, Iraq, Jul
