Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Iraqi Woman Lives 'Among Dogs and Wolves' in War-Torn Mosul Neighborhood Rikar Hussein WASHINGTON/MOSUL, IRAQ - Sixty-two-year-old Sabah Muhammad Ismail resides in the al-Shahwan neighborhood of Old Mosul in a little house with walls riddled by bullets from the battle between the Iraqi forces and IS militants in early 2017. Her attachment to the house kept her from fleeing with other residents who never returned after the Iraqi victory in July 2017. "I live here among dogs and wolves. I swear to God that dogs come gather in front of my door," Ismail said in her house during an interview with VOA. "Despite this condition I say thank God I am at least still alive." Mosul is Iraq's second-largest city with a population of more than 1 million that stayed under IS rule for three years. Two years after the military operation, local and international organizations say large parts of the city remain damaged and residents continue to suffer from the aftermath of the conflict. .