“Quo Vadis, Ninewa?” Key Social Cohesion Concerns in the Iraqi Governorate for 2018

Understanding the complex social fabric of Ninewa Governorate is critical to ensuring that reconstruction in one of the most heavily ISIS affected areas in Iraq is not simply rebuilding over shaky foundations. Key issues coming into even sharper focus in 2018 in this regard include: reconstruction and restitution of housing, land, and property; inequality of aid provision; old and new returnee tensions; Ezidi-Arab relations; the emerging landscape in Tal Afar; collective blame and protection; accountability for serious crimes; and militarization of the populace.