BAGHDAD, June 6 (UPI) — An international aid group has confirmed the Islamic State is shooting civilians as they attempt to escape the embattled Iraqi city of Fallujah while tens of thousands remain trapped.
Up to 50,000 Fallujah residents are trapped in the center of the city as Iraqi security forces, aided by tribal militias, a Shiite militia and U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, continue to diminish the Islamic State’s control of the city.
“Our biggest fears are now tragically confirmed with civilians being directly targeted while trying to flee to safety,” Norwegian Refugee Council Country Director in Iraq Nasr Muflahi said told CNN. “This is the worst that we feared would happen to innocent men, women and children who have had to leave everything behind in order to save their lives.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi previously said the offensive to retake Fallujah had been slowed down in order to protect civilians. About 3,000 families have successfully fled the city since late May.
Iraqi forces on Sunday recaptured the district of al-Nuaimiya, which is about 3 miles from central Fallujah. The small town of Saqlawiya, about 6 miles northwest of Fallujah, was recaptured by Iraq on Saturday.
Fallujah, about 40 miles west of Baghdad, has been under Islamic State control since early 2014. Iraqi security forces and allies began efforts to retake Fallujah months ago by isolating the city through the recapture of surrounding areas.
