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Humanitarian Crisis Worsens with Thousands Fleeing Fallujah | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Civilians who fled their homes due to clashes on the outskirts of Fallujah, gather in the town of Garma, Iraq, May 30, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani


Fallujah – Iraqi Security Forces, backed by international coalition, continue to liberate Falluja city, one of ISIS stronghold.

Joint Military Command Brigadier Yayha Rasoul announced that victory is expected to be announced soon. He confirmed that Joint Military Command was able to control al-Askari neighborhood, railway, and international highway that links Baghdad with Fallujah and Ramadi.

Rasoul explained that forces will break into al-Muwazafeen neighborhood next after the counter terrorism forces were able to liberate the second Dobbat neighborhood.

Baghdad Operations Command spokesperson Saad Maan confirmed that ISIS is now strongly besieged after forces seized the railway in the north.

Iraq’s Federal Police Chief Raed Shaker Jawdat confirmed that Iraqi Forces began liberating areas north of Fallujah starting from Fallujah bridge. He added that ISIS member are trying to hold their positions. In addition, Iraqi forces discovered a number of booby-trapped cars which were dismantled.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced the liberation of Fallujah that was under ISIS control for over two years.

Meanwhile, families who were able to escape ISIS are suffering due to lack of supplies.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced that over 84 thousand persons had to escape their homes since the attack on ISIS stronghold started.

Norwegian Council for Refugees (NCR) warned of a humanitarian crisis due to large number of refugees and lack of resources. NCR is responsible for a few refugee camps in Fallujah.

According to one of the people in charge of the refugee camps in Amireyyat Fallujah, during the last four days 400 families have arrived without any belongings. He added that they were offered few tents, juice and water.

Yazidi member of Iraqi Parliament Vian Dakhil told Asharq Al-Awsat that while occupying Mosul, ISIS kidnapped 4365 Yazidi women, 2600 are still in Iraq while the rest are in Syria.

Dakhil revealed information about ISIS holding several women captives, and asked security forces to help release them.

Al-Anbar councilman Taha Abdul-Ghani said he filed several cases to Iraqi courts and Federal government regarding violations done to Fallujah citizens.