Scottish Sunday: Mosul City Of Despair Where The Morgue Door Never Closes

A City Ravaged by Violence and Despair

After 20 years of service at the Mosul morgue, Abdul-Kareem Ahmed has become inured to death, especially in recent years, where violence has claimed the lives of up to 150 city residents every day. But Ahmed's detachment was shattered when the charred body of a young man was laid on the autopsy table. Ahmed immediately recognised the silver ring on the corpse's finger - a gift he had given his 20-year-old son Kazim when he graduated from the college of administration at Mosul University. Ahmed stared at the body in disbelief - his son, he said, was no more than "some bones and burned flesh" - and then broke down and cried.

Overwhelmed and Underappreciated

Along with the central morgue in Baghdad, the morgue in Mosul struggles to cope with the number of corpses brought in each day. Like the capital, this northern city - a stronghold of Sunni militants, foreign fighters, and members of the Islamic Emirate in Iraq, which allies itself with al-Qaeda - has been ravaged by sectarian conflict and insurgency. Khalid Abdul-Ameer, an administrator at the morgue, said they sometimes receive corpses of whole families who have been killed because of their religion, ethnicity, or the party affiliation or profession of a family member.

The constant stream of charred, deformed, and mutilated corpses, and the public's apparent disdain for the job they do, puts the 23 staff under enormous psychological strain. Their one consolation, it seems, is that, unlike in Baghdad, the militants here have yet to target them. With the morgue fridges unable to hold all the corpses, staff try to minimize the number that are not put into cold storage by identifying the cause of death as quickly as possible and then sending them off to be buried.

The Horrors of Mosul

The most common causes of death in Mosul are roadside bombs, gunshots, torture, and decapitation - with most victims being members of the Iraqi security forces or the former regime, state officials, journalists, and translators. Staff at the morgue are so overstretched that the director has had to train unqualified staff to do autopsies. "I will employ anyone, even illiterates and people with no academic qualifications. I will teach them how to conduct autopsies," said Ryadh Hamdi.

Dr Thirgham al-Ubaidi, one of the few doctors still working there, feels desperate at the overwhelming number of dead arriving every day. "The morgue door never closes anymore - we're always busy," he said. It's demoralizing, soul-destroying work. While showing this journalist around the premises, staff member Kurshid Sultan points to a disembodied head - which has seemingly been blown off in an explosion. "This is what saddens us," he said, "What did these people ever do to deserve to fall victim to such fanatical acts of terrorism."

One of the biggest problems is the number of corpses that staff are unable to put names to - bodies that have been deformed beyond recognition with no personal documentation - although relatives usually manage to identify them by spotting something familiar, such as a piece of clothing or jewelry. Just as Ahmed discovered that his son - who, he said, had everything to live for - had become yet another victim of the conflict. "The morning of the day he died, we were talking about his desire to get married to his cousin, and now he is in a plastic bag," he said.

The Bright Side: Hotels in Mosul

In the midst of this city plagued by violence and despair, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of hotels. Despite the challenging circumstances, several hotels in Mosul are operating and providing refuge for those seeking shelter from the chaos.

These hotels offer a safe haven and a semblance of normalcy amidst the turmoil. They are staffed by individuals dedicated to providing comfort and hospitality to their guests, even in the face of immense challenges. The hotel staff welcomes visitors with warm smiles, offering a respite from the harsh realities of life in Mosul.

While the situation in the city remains dire, the presence of functioning hotels is a testament to the resilience of the people and their determination to rebuild and create a better future for themselves and their community.

The Importance of Hotels in Conflict Zones

In conflict zones like Mosul, hotels play a crucial role in assisting both local residents and international aid organizations. They provide a base for journalists, humanitarian workers, and other professionals who are dedicated to providing assistance and reporting on the situation.

Furthermore, hotels serve as a platform for fostering connections and collaborations, enabling individuals and organizations to work together towards peace and recovery. By offering a safe and comfortable environment, hotels facilitate important discussions and initiatives that contribute to the rebuilding and development of the city.

While the challenges faced by hotels in conflict zones are immense, their presence is a beacon of hope and solidarity, serving as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, humanity can find ways to support and uplift one another.