'Liberated' Mosul civilians not safe from violence, casualties rise

Displaced Iraqis, who fled the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul, carry empty containers as they wait in line to fill them with fuel to be used for cooking and lighting at Khazer camp, Iraq,December 15, 2016.REUTERS/Ammar Awad

ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Seven-year-old Anas lies in a hospital bed in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, his little body wrapped in bandages following four surgeries to remove shrapnel that shredded his intestines.

He is considered lucky for being alive. Two of his brothers did not survive the Islamic State mortar attack three weeks ago on their family's home in Mosul. One boy died immediately, the other after reaching the emergency room.