In pictures: Iraq's neighbourhood patrols

Ahmad Abdel Karim, 21, is a police officer and Mehdi army member, and helps guard the area.

"Shoula property prices have risen a lot, because it is protected by the Mehdi Army and is safe," he says.

"Sunni families left on their own. No one threatened them. They left so that the bombs fall only on Shias.

"The Americans come here with the National Guard. They try to confiscate weapons from the Mehdi Army so that this area falls to the terrorists."