Most notably hunting rifles .. For these reasons, arms sales are increasing in Mosul

The sale of firearms, hunting rifles, pistols and assault rifles is a major demand in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, which some consider necessary to protect themselves after nearly two years of Iraqi forces returning the city from the grip of the Islamic state.

After the authorities issued permits only a year ago to purchase hunting weapons, civilians are now allowed to buy a pistol or a self-defense rifle, raising fears in the city, where the effects of state organization still lie.

The owner of one of the city's six arms dealerships - a few months ago approved by the Interior Ministry to sell arms - says guns make up 70 percent of total sales.

The owner of the shop, who asked not to be identified, said that he received "many customers." He added that the shops sold to those with a permit to carry a weapon of civilians, in addition to a large number of "elements of the security forces."

"We sell weapons to civilians as well as to military personnel," another shopkeeper asserts.

The trader points out that among the civilian customers are fishermen, businessmen or journalists, professions exposed to threats in Mosul.

Among the customers is Abu Nizar, 45, who was issued a license and carried a pistol all the time. He keeps the Kalashnikov rifle in his shop for the exchange.

Hamed Hassan, a 21-year-old security officer, was carrying a weapon during his working hours and delivering it before the end of the day, but he was inspecting weapons and equipment in a shop to buy another. He said he needed a weapon "for my personal protection because the Mosul security situation is still unstable" .

According to security sources, there are still hundreds of elements of the state organization hiding in the province of Nineveh and major cities Mosul, especially in mountainous and desert areas close to the border with Syria.

black market
Weapons were available in Mosul after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, even after it became a stronghold of the state.

Local experts and officials confirm the proliferation of various weapons, including leak into the black market when the state control of arms stores in 2014, in addition to arming official groups to protect nationalities or minorities.

A security source said the authorities repeatedly announced the seizure of trucks loaded with weapons and explosives belonging to those they describe as terrorists, but "light weapons of various kinds are on the black market."

He points out that there were weapons stolen and others found after the escape of elements of the state organization and what he transferred arms smugglers to the province of Nineveh.

Weapons stores in Mosul have automatic rifles, American, Chinese and Croatian-made pistols, hunting rifles and Kalashnikov, priced between $ 500 and $ 5,000.

Security threat
Security sources warned of the danger of the proliferation of weapons and selling them in Mosul, fearing that they would eventually fall into the hands of gunmen.

Commenting on this, the sociologist Ali Zidane warns that the sale and circulation of weapons in Mosul and areas under the control of the state organization, is a source of concern.

"Mosul still has dormant terrorist cells that can exploit this phenomenon and get weapons in one way or another," Zidane said.

He said the area had been devastated by the fighting, and despite reconstruction efforts, the circulation of weapons threatened "the increase of crimes."

For his part, believes political analyst Amer Beck that "the security situation is unstable as security leaders," stressing that "the sale of weapons to civilians will negatively affect the security situation now and in the future."