The operation to liberate Fallujah is facing yet another problem as evidence of sectarian violence is coming to light, the governor of Anbar Suhaib al-Rawi told Rudaw Saturday.
Images depict some of the armed groups taking part in the offensive committing inhumane acts and abuse.
These actions have tainted the scene and affect the overall operations, he said.
Many of the people in Fallujah have as a result become frustrated when they witnessed these practices on social media and in leaked video footage.
Survivors who were detained by Hashd al-Shaabi have said that detainees were forcefully locked up, tortured, killed, and assassinated.
The Anbar provincial council is investigating the violations and, on order of the prime minister, has formed a committee to follow up on cases.
The confirmed number of those who died under torture by the Hashd al-Shaabi has now reached five and it is estimated to be much higher. The five dead were received by the government who transferred them later to Fallujah’s Amiriyah hospital for legal investigation. However, another 17 may have been killed in a massacre in Sichr, which is being verified through the testimonies of survivors.
The battle for Fallujah is intense and destructive weapons are being used, resulting in what the Anbar provincial council believes to be unnecessary destruction of buildings. Their engineering teams are investigating.
