Sandstorm hits Iraq's northern city of Mosul – in pictures

A sandstorm clouds the main road in Iraq's northern city of Mosul. All photos: AFP
A sandstorm clouds the main road in Iraq's northern city of Mosul. All photos: AFP
A view of the old town on the banks of the Tigris river in Iraq's northern city of Mosul.
A view of the old town on the banks of the Tigris river in Iraq's northern city of Mosul.
A tuk-tuk driver makes his way through the haze in a sandstorm in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq.
A tuk-tuk driver makes his way through the haze in a sandstorm in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq.
Street vendors defy the sandstorm to ply their trade at a roadside stall in Arbil, in northern Iraq.
Street vendors defy the sandstorm to ply their trade at a roadside stall in Arbil, in northern Iraq.
Sand and dust colour the skies over Arbil.
Sand and dust colour the skies over Arbil.
In Arbil a cyclist uses his hand during the sandstorm when a facemask would have been a better option.
In Arbil a cyclist uses his hand during the sandstorm when a facemask would have been a better option.
Downtown Arbil cloaked in a sandstorm haze.
Downtown Arbil cloaked in a sandstorm haze.