Iraqi soldiers talk outside the damaged al-Nuri mosque in the Old City of western Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 29, 2017. Reconstruction of the Old City in western Mosul is under slow progress. Around six months after the full liberation of Mosul, the Old City in western Mosul still lies in ruins, and only few residents have returned home. Main streets have been cleared in this area, but a vast number of narrow alleys are still covered by collapsed buildings. On July 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi formally declared full liberation of Mosul, after nine months of fierce fighting. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)