Powerful Heart-Breaking Pictures Of The Battle Of Mosul

As the Battle of Mosul goes on so does the race among photographers who are trying to sell snapshots of the battle to media outlets. As Kainoa Little couldn’t find a buyer for his pictures, he decided to share them online for free – and they narrate a harrowing story of fight and survival.

The Shoreline, Washington-based photographer specializes in taking photographs in war zones. In April 2017, he was in Mosul to document Iraqi Federal Police fight to free the city from ISIL militants. Civilians were fleeing in mass numbers, because of heavy clashes that were underway in the Old City. Kainoa Little’s pictures capture a vivid variety of emotions; the devastation of the refugees leaving their homes, the emotional strength of the soldiers protecting them, and the rage and sheer chaos tormenting all of those involved in the battle, to name just a few.

Although Mosul is not yet entirely free, the Iraqi forces have made important headway in rescuing the ancient city from ISIL. We can only wish that the end to this cruel fight is close and that Kainoa Little will soon have better luck on the press photography market.

Check out his powerful photos below.

More info: Kainoa Little, Bored Panda

Federal Police fire at Islamic State positions at the end of the street in the Old City

Kainoa Little

Federal Police fire on Islamic State positions in west Mosul

Kainoa Little

A Federal Policeman in a destroyed cinema

Kainoa Little

Preparing for battle in the Old City. This machine gunner is organizing his ammo

Kainoa Little

Entering a theater suspected of containing an explosive device

Kainoa Little

An Islamic State bullet punches through the wall next to a Federal Policeman

Kainoa Little

Federal Police enter a theater in the Old City. Seconds later, an Islamic State gunman opened fire from the upper rafters

Kainoa Little

Federal Police in the theater

Kainoa Little

A soldier clears a building in Mosul’s Old City

Kainoa Little

A Federal Policeman takes fire from the other side of a theater. Several bullets impacted the other side of the wall near where he had been looking through a window

Kainoa Little

A Federal Policeman runs across exposed ground on the roof of the theater

Kainoa Little

Federal Police exchange fire with ISIS across the theater

Kainoa Little

In the theater in the Old City

Kainoa Little

A cook prepares large amounts of rice for the soldiers

Kainoa Little

Federal Police commanders

Kainoa Little

Federal Police shave and rest in a civilian home on the front line in west Mosul

Kainoa Little

Civilians flee from fighting in west Mosul

Kainoa Little

Refugees from west Mosul wait near the Tigris River crossing

Kainoa Little

Refugees from west Mosul wait near the Tigris River crossing

Kainoa Little

A humvee passes civilians fleeing battles in Musharrifah

Kainoa Little

Iraqi Army piloting a drone

Kainoa Little

Civilians fleeing battles in Musharrifah

Kainoa Little

Refugees escaping fighting

Kainoa Little

American and Burmese medics fail to recuscitate a sniper victim

Kainoa Little

Civilians fleeing battles in Musharrifah

Kainoa Little

A woman learns from American and Burmese medics that her son will survive a bullet wound in the leg

Kainoa Little

A helicopter gunship fires at Islamic State positions

Kainoa Little

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