Iraqi court reopens after three-year closure

The Nineveh Court of Appeals in eastern Mosul reopened after a three-year closure.

"The reopening of government institutions in Nineveh province, including the Court of Appeals, reflects Mosul's improving security situation," reported Anadolu, quoting secretary-general of the Iraqi cabinet Mahdi al-Alaq, at the reopening ceremony.

The reopening ceremony was also attended by Nineveh Governor Nawfal al-Sultan.

"It also serves to reassure the local populace and represents a vital step toward Mosul's total liberation," he added.

al-Alaq said that the next step is the process of reconstruction and the return of those displaced (by the conflict) to their homes.

As per Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi, a spokesman for Iraq's Planning Ministry, the anticipated cost of Mosul's reconstruction would be about $50 billion to $100 billion over the next 10 years.

For the last nine months, the Iraqi army has fought to drive Daesh militants from Mosul, which the terrorist group overran -- along with other parts of the country -- in mid-2014.

-ANI