IRAQ: FRESH EVIDENCE THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS FORCED TO FLEE TUZ KHURMATU AMID INDISCRIMINATE ATTACKS, LOOTINGS AND ARSON

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  •  Lootings, arson and house demolition targeted predominantly Kurdish areas
  • At least 11 civilians killed by indiscriminate attacks
  • Tens of thousands now displaced afraid to go back home
  • Amnesty team analysed satellite imagery, videos, photos and dozens of testimonies


Satellite images, videos, photos and dozens of testimonies collected by Amnesty International show that civilians were forced to flee their homes after fierce clashes erupted between Iraqi government forces, supported by the Popular Mobilization Units, and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq’s multi-ethnic city of Tuz Khurmatu on 16 October 2017.

Residents reported that at least 11 civilians were killed by indiscriminate attacks, while hundreds of properties were looted, set on fire and destroyed in what appears to be a targeted attack on predominantly Kurdish areas of the city.

“Within hours the lives of countless men, women and children were devastated in Tuz Khurmatu. Thousands have lost their homes, shops and everything they owned. They are now scattered in nearby camps, villages and cities, wondering whether they will ever be able to return,” said Lynn Maalouf, Director of Research for the Middle East at Amnesty International.


Tags: armed conflict, north africa.

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