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Mosul Burqa Ban Unveils Militants in Hiding

“At first, I didn’t want to take off the veil at the checkpoint,” said Dhoa, 32, cuddling her infant daughter to her chest. “But then after soldiers told me to remove it a few times, I thought: Why bother wearing it at all?” Since Iraqi forces recaptured this part of Mosul in November, the military […]

Heather Murdock writes for Voice of America:

“At first, I didn’t want to take off the veil at the checkpoint,” said Dhoa, 32, cuddling her infant daughter to her chest. “But then after soldiers told me to remove it a few times, I thought: Why bother wearing it at all?”

Since Iraqi forces recaptured this part of Mosul in November, the military has encouraged women not to wear veils that cover their faces because Islamic State militants are hiding among them dressed as women.

Less than two weeks ago, the ban became official, and soldiers spread the word on the streets that burqas are no longer allowed.