Mosul residents turn war-torn alley into lush community garden

MOSUL — In Mosul’s western Al-Farouq neighborhood, residents have transformed a once-rubble-strewn alley into a green passageway filled with plants and flowers — a grassroots effort that has attracted admiration from across the city.

The alley, known locally as a darbouna, had been littered with debris left behind by military operations. Today, it’s a popular photo spot maintained entirely by volunteers from the neighborhood, who say the transformation has brought new life to the area.

“This alley was full of debris after the liberation,” said resident Ali Muwafiq. “But families like ours — the houses of Daban, Ammar, and Omar — worked together to clean it and plant greenery. Now we water the plants every morning. It helps with oxygen and lifts our spirits.”

Residents say the idea began with local youths who planted the first flowers and grasses. “We’re the ones who take care of them,” said Umm Ammar. “They’re not just decorative — they give us oxygen, and the Prophet loved planting. Even the smallest homes now have natural beauty in front of them.”

The narrow walkway now stretches with greenery along more than 10 homes, with a grass variety known locally as hashmi providing much of the coverage. Locals say the beautification effort has drawn visitors and boosted morale among residents.

“It was filled with trash and rubble,” said Ammar Ahmad. “Now people come just to take pictures. We did it all ourselves, and the results are amazing.”