ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Local officials in the Fallujah region claimed that ISIS left the city 60 days ago and those fighting the Iraqi security forces are residents of the city who have no ties to ISIS but are terrified of the Shiite militia groups who have been caught on video torturing refugees who fled the city. "It has been 60 days since ISIS has withdrawn from Fallujah, and the residents fear what [Shiite militia] Hashd al-Shaabi militants might do to them,” Raad Sleman, a Sheikh from the tribes of Anbar, told Rudaw. “We have informed the Iraqi government. Those who are fighting inside Fallujah are the residents,” Sleman claimed. He added that they have proof that the Shiite militias are mistreating the families of Fallujah, a predominantly Sunni city. Video footage showing members of the Shiite militia known as Hashd al-Shaabi torturing refugees from Fallujah has gone viral on social media and angered many people of Iraq, especially Sunnis. Sleman blames Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for the torture the refugees are suffering, saying that Abadi is a weak person and not suitable for the post of prime minister. Shiite militia leaders deny the accusations of mistreatment. Kareem Noori, a spokesperson for the militia group, told Rudaw, “Hashd al-Shaabi militants are treating the residents very well, and there have been no violations.” “Fallujah residents have no links to ISIS,” Noori added. The governor of Anbar agrees. Sofean Essawi, media advisor for tribal matters of Anbar province, told Rudaw that Anbar governor Suhaib Rawi has followed the situation of the refugees closely, and said that no violations have been committed by Shiite militias against Fallujah families. An estimated 50,000 civilians are still trapped in Fallujah, including at least 20,000 children. The Iraqi government had urged those who could to leave and those that could not to fly white flags to show the incoming forces that they posed no threat. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) estimates that a mere 3,000 people have managed to escape Fallujah since the Iraqi operation began. The United Nations’ children’s organization UNICEF called on "all parties to protect children inside Fallujah, provide safe passage to those wishing to leave the city and grant safe and secure environments to displaced civilians."
