After seizing large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in 2014, Islamic State imposed its strict interpretation of Islamic law and began to establish the basic frameworks of statehood such as taxes and regulation. But that project is collapsing in the face of a military campaign in Iraq to crush the militants, with unexpected consequences for ordinary people escaping their grip. Births in Islamic State-controlled areas were registered with authorities that are not considered valid outside that shrinking territory - or not registered at all. That is adding hundreds and perhaps thousands of children under the age of 2-1/2 to the growing numbers of children across the Middle East who are stateless Ð lacking legal recognition as a citizen of any country. Stateless children risk missing out on basic rights such as education and healthcare, are likely to face difficulties in adulthood getting a job, and are exposed to abuse and trafficking, according to the United Nations. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra SEARCH "CALIPHATE CHILDREN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. Matching text: MIDEAST-CRISIS/MOSUL-CHILDREN