Before Islamic State captured the town of Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul, in 2014, visitors from all over Iraq flocked to its historic spa. Now that the area has been liberated, soldiers and civilians have returned to enjoy its healing properties.

Abdul Aziz, 15, fills water bottles with mud from a sulphur well near the spa. The mud is believed to have healing properties and is sold to customers visiting the spa.

Customers cover themselves with mud from the sulphur well. The spa was built in the 1980s and needs refurbishing but it has plentiful supplies of hot water and mud.

While Islamic State occupied the town, bathers had to wear a tunic covering them from knee to navel in keeping with the group’s strict modesty code. Residents say they would be whipped for wearing swimwear.

A federal police officer takes a bath with his gun resting on the side.

Two customers of the Hamam Alil spa take a break from bathing after covering themselves with mud.