The lack of clean water, sanctions and ISIS have all contributed to depleting the supply of fish that is salted, fire-roasted and shared by Iraqis of all sects and political persuasions.
The Islamic State began urging supporters to carry out vehicle attacks last year. Europe, where weapons are harder to obtain, has suffered multiple attacks. Now New York has been hit.
The vote is seen as a way to signal the ethnic minority's desire for self-determination, despite strong opposition from regional and international powers. Turnout reportedly was high.
"These women and children are extremely vulnerable. Regardless of what their family members may be accused of, they have a right to protection and assistance," says the Norwegian Refugee Council.
The forces aligned with Iraq's government allegedly used crude, imprecise weapons that caused an unnecessary level of civilian casualties in the fight against ISIS, the U.K.-based rights group says.
Ikaika Erik Kang had been investigated for over a year by the Army and the FBI. He is accused of offering the extremist group military documents and training.
Iraq's military said ISIS destroyed the 12th century al-Nuri mosque in Mosul's Old City, where ISIS fighters remain. Iraq's prime minister called it "a formal declaration of their defeat."
Raqqa is the most important stronghold for the militant group in Syria and fell under its control in 2014. This offensive is expected to be difficult and is seen as pivotal in the fight against ISIS.
The Pentagon has released its report on an airstrike in Mosul that left at least 105 civilians dead, saying ISIS had put explosives in the building that was hit.