Nineveh rebuilds amid the ruins of war and displacement

NINEVEH PLAIN, Iraq — In the city of Mosul, restored religious landmarks and reopened businesses offer visible signs of recovery after years of Islamic State rule and the liberation war. Mosul is rebuilding. In Shigur (Sinjar), farther west, thousands of Yezidis, Syriacs, and others, however, remain displaced. More than a decade after the genocide, they are waiting for the security, housing, and basic services needed to return home permanently. The contrast captures Nineveh’s central challenge: reconstruction has moved forward, but the conditions for recovery remain out of reach for many of the governorate’s residents. Home to the ruins of the ancient Assyrian capital, fertile agricultural plains and one of Iraq’s most diverse populations, Nineveh carries a history stretching back thousands of years. Today, its future depends as much on addressing displacement, unemployment, and political disputes as on rebuilding the monuments and neighborhoods destroyed during the war. Along the Tigris River, the remains of the ancient Assyrian capital stand as a reminder of a civilization that shaped the history of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia) and the wider Middle East. Few places in Iraq embody the contrast between historical grandeur and contemporary hardship as clearly as Nineveh. Named after the ancient city that became the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the governorate combines archaeological treasures and fertile agricultural plains with a diverse population that includes Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Shabak, Yazidis, Chaldeans-Syriacs-Assyrians and other Christian communities. Yet recovery remains uneven. While parts of Mosul have regained their commercial and cultural vitality, other districts continue to struggle with displacement, damaged infrastructure, unemployment, and political disputes. An Ancient Heritage, a Fragile Recovery Ancient Nineveh reached its height in the seventh century BC, when it served as the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Archaeological sites such as Kuyunjik preserve the remains of royal palaces associated with rulers Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal, whose renowned library helped preserve the literary and scholarly traditions of Beth Nahrin. That heritage suffered another devastating chapter when the Islamic State seized Mosul in June 2014. The group committed widespread abuses and damaged religious, cultural, and archaeological sites. The subsequent military liberation campaign caused extensive destruction and displaced large numbers of residents. Iraqi authorities declared Mosul liberated in July 2017, but reconstruction and the return of displaced families have continued for years. Nineveh’s cultural and religious diversity remains central to its identity. Dr. Layla Salih, head of the Nineveh Antiquities Section, told Shafaq News “The diversity of Nineveh is both its strength and its challenge. It is what allows the province to survive and rebuild, even after devastating conflicts.” Preserving that diversity depends not only on protecting historic sites but also on ensuring that communities can live safely, maintain their livelihoods, and remain connected to their ancestral homes. An Economy Under Pressure Agriculture remains an important pillar of Nineveh’s economy. Its plains produce wheat, barley, and vegetables, while livestock farming supports rural communities. However, drought, declining rainfall, and water shortages across Iraq are placing increasing pressure on farmers. Nineveh Governorate also possesses significant energy and mineral resources. The Qayyarah oil field, south of Mosul, resumed production after suffering extensive damage during the war against the Islamic State. The Mosul Dam remains essential for water management, irrigation, and electricity generation, although its foundations require continued monitoring and maintenance. In the city of Mosul, markets, workshops, and small businesses have gradually returned. Rebuilt bridges, improved roads and the restoration of Mosul International Airport, which is not yet open, have helped reconnect the city with other parts of Iraq and international destinations. Despite these improvements, unemployment remains a major concern, particularly among young people and returning families. “Jobs are still scarce, and the scars of the past occupation linger. Sustainable diversification is essential to prevent renewed instability,” Mosul-based economist Jamal Shafiq told Shafaq News. The challenge is to turn reconstruction into sustainable economic growth rather than leaving recovery concentrated in selected neighborhoods and industries. Shigur and the Unfinished Return The gap between Mosul’s visible reconstruction and Shigur’s continuing displacement crisis remains one of Nineveh’s most pressing challenges. In August 2014, the Islamic State attacked the majority Yezidi district, killing civilians, abducting thousands and subjecting women and children to enslavement and other abuses. The atrocities have been recognized as genocide by the United Nations and several governments. More than a decade later, many families remain displaced, and relatives continue searching for those who disappeared during the assault. In 2026, hundreds of families registered or prepared to return to Shigur from displacement camps in the Kurdistan Region, particularly Nohadra (Duhok), with assistance from Iraqi authorities and the International Organization for Migration. But damaged homes, inadequate services, security concerns, and disputes over local administration continue to obstruct permanent returns. The 2020 Sinjar Agreement between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government was intended to address security, administration and reconstruction, but implementation remains incomplete. For many Yezidis, Syriacs and others, returning home requires more than the opportunity to leave a displacement camp. It requires security, functioning infrastructure, and confidence that they can rebuild their lives without being forced to flee again. Rebuilding Mosul’s Cultural Life Mosul’s Old City has become a prominent symbol of Nineveh’s recovery. Much of its historic center was devastated during the Islamic State’s occupation and the battle to retake the city. Since 2018, UNESCO’s Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative has helped restore major landmarks, including the Al-Nouri Mosque and its Al-Hadba Minaret, the Convent of Our Lady of the Hour and Al-Tahera Church. The initiative has also rehabilitated 124 heritage houses and 404 classrooms The University of Mosul has likewise resumed its academic recovery, with UNESCO supporting the rehabilitation and modernization of its Central Library. Yet rebuilding institutions does not automatically heal the psychological wounds left by war, particularly among children who experienced violence and displacement. “It is not just about teaching; it is about healing the minds of children who have lived through destruction,” Wafaa al-Zubaidi, a primary school teacher in Mosul’s Old City, told Shafaq News. Across Nineveh, religious celebrations, traditional crafts, music and poetry continue to sustain cultural life. But their future depends on whether the communities that preserve these traditions can remain in their homes and pass their heritage to the next generation. Nineveh’s history is often told through the rise and fall of empires. Its present, however, is defined by families seeking to return; young people searching for work, and communities struggling to recover from violence. Reconstruction has brought meaningful progress, particularly in Mosul. Yet displacement, economic hardship, and unresolved security disputes remain formidable obstacles. The rebuilding of Nineveh’s past is only part of the task. The greater challenge is ensuring that its diverse communities have the security, opportunity and freedom to shape its future.