- Mosul is a city in northern Iraq, located on the western bank of the Tigris River. It is the second-largest city in Iraq, after Baghdad, and it served as the capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from 2014 to 2017. Mosul has a rich history and was once an important center of trade and culture in the region. However, the city has been heavily impacted by years of conflict and has suffered significant damage during the fighting against ISIL. Efforts are currently underway to rebuild and restore the city.