"Since nobody wanted to buy my photos, here they are free. Mosul, 2017 "

As the battle for Mosul continues, there are also photographers trying to sell their images of the war to the media. Kainoa Little could not find who bought theirs, so he decided to share them on the internet, and show a story of struggle and survival.

This photographer specializes in war zones, and was in Mosul during the month of April 2017 to document the efforts of the Iraqi Federal Police in liberating the city from militants of the Islamic State. There were very hard clashes in the old town, causing civilians to flee in droves. The photos of Little capture a great variety of emotions: the anguish of the refugees leaving their homes, the determination of the soldiers who protect them, and the chaos that plagued everything.

Although Mosul is not yet completely free, Iraqi forces have made significant progress in reconquering the city from the hands of the Islamic State. We can only hope that the end of this brutal battle is near, and that Kainoa Little will have more luck next time. Below you can see his terrible photo.

Federal police firing towards the positions of the Islamic State at the end of the street.

Federal police firing on the positions of the Islamic State in the west of Mosul.

Federal police in a ruined cinema.

Preparing for battle in the old town. Organizing the ammunition of the machine gun.

Federal police enter a theater suspected of having a bomb, while attempting to take control of the block.

An Islamic State bullet crosses the wall near a federal police.

A police officer entering a theater. Seconds later, a gunman from the Islamic State opened fire from the roof.

Federal police in the theater.

Soldier clearing a building in the old town of Mosul.

Several bullets hit the other side of the wall where this cop was looking out the window.

Then he run through the exposed area of the theater roof.

Federal police exchange gunshots with the Islamic state through the theater.

Police in the theater.

Cook preparing huge amounts of rice for soldiers.

Federal police commanders.

Police shaving and resting in a civilian house on the front of West Mosul.

Civilians fleeing fighting in West Mosul.

Mosul refugees waiting near the crossing over the Tigris river.

Humvee vehicle crossing with civilians fleeing the battle in Musharrifah.

Iraqi army piloting a dron.

Civilians fleeing the battle in Musharrifah.

Refugees fleeing the war.

US and Burmese doctors fail to revive sniper victim.

Civilians fleeing the battle in Musharrifah.

Doctors tell this woman that her son will survive the bullet wound in his leg.

Helicopter firing on the positions of the Islamic State.