In pictures: Iraq's neighbourhood patrols

Despite the instability, locals still visit Abbas Salim's cafe to play dominoes and drink tea.

"People come here for a change of atmosphere. They need it - some are unemployed, some have no electricity at home. They come here to have some fun and chat for a couple of hours.

"While Shoula is a Shia area, it also has many Sunnis and there hasn’t been any forced displacement from Shoula.

"We are still living together - they are Muslims like us, there is no difference."