A woman and her child, having fled Qayyarah, arrive at a front line position.
In the now week-long battle for the strategic city of Mosul, the United States and coalition partners have pounded jihadist fighters with more targeted airstrikes than ever before.
But ISIS combatants will not be easily dislodged.
Those who've fled ISIS-controlled areas describe a reign of terror, including public executions that are mandatory viewing. Many forms of Western dress are prohibited, as is smoking, playing soccer and most cell phone use.
Another aspect of daily life for civilians stuck in ISIS territory: Boredom. Serious boredom.
That's what National Geographic's James Verini found.
He's spoken with Iraqis who once lived on ISIS-controlled land. He tells their stories in his recent piece for the magazine, "Surviving the Fall of ISIS."
"The signal feature of life under ISIS, after constant fear, is constant boredom," Verini says.
Here are some images from newly freed Iraqi towns that ISIS had ruled for two years. (See the rest on National Geographic's website.)
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.