Iraqi town recovering slowly amid protracted conflict

Iraqi town recovering slowly amid protracted conflict

ERBIL, Iraq - A worker clears debris from a damaged store in Makhmour, northern Iraq, on Sept. 7, 2014. The town was briefly occupied by the militant Islamic State group until U.S. air raids drove out the Sunni extremists.

Kurdish "peshmerga" forces rely on old weapons

Kurdish "peshmerga" forces rely on old weapons

ERBIL, Iraq - Photo shows members of Kurdish "peshmerga" forces in Makhmour, northern Iraq, on Aug. 13, 2014. A Soviet-made machinegun is seen mounted on the rear deck of a truck (back).

Northern Iraqi residents hurriedly leave war-torn city

Northern Iraqi residents hurriedly leave war-torn city

MAKHMOUR, Iraq - Residents in Makhmour, northern Iraq, go through a check point by car with household effects on Aug. 13, 2014, to escape from the recent escalation of a military conflict between Islamic militants and the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan.

Debris-littered street hit by U.S. airstrikes in Iraq

Debris-littered street hit by U.S. airstrikes in Iraq

ERBIL, Iraq - Young people watch a battle-torn street of Makhmour, northern Iraq, on Aug. 13, 2014, following U.S. airstrikes against Islamic militants and the ensuing recapture of the town by the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan.

Battered restaurant in northern Iraq

Battered restaurant in northern Iraq

MAKHMOUR, Iraq - The damaged inside of an upmarket restaurant in Makhmour, northern Iraq, is shown on Aug. 13, 2014, after the latest military exchanges between Islamic militants and the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan aided by U.S. airstrikes.

Kurdish "peshmerga" forces rely on old weapons

Kurdish "peshmerga" forces rely on old weapons

ERBIL, Iraq - Photo shows members of Kurdish "peshmerga" forces in Makhmour, northern Iraq, on Aug. 13, 2014. A Soviet-made machinegun is seen mounted on the rear deck of a truck (back). (Kyodo)

Northern Iraqi residents hurriedly leave war-torn city

Northern Iraqi residents hurriedly leave war-torn city

MAKHMOUR, Iraq - Residents in Makhmour, northern Iraq, go through a check point by car with household effects on Aug. 13, 2014, to escape from the recent escalation of a military conflict between Islamic militants and the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan. (Kyodo)

Debris-littered street hit by U.S. airstrikes in Iraq

Debris-littered street hit by U.S. airstrikes in Iraq

ERBIL, Iraq - Young people watch a battle-torn street of Makhmour, northern Iraq, on Aug. 13, 2014, following U.S. airstrikes against Islamic militants and the ensuing recapture of the town by the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan. (Kyodo)