ERBIL, Kurdistan—Iraqi forces continued to push into Islamic State (ISIS)-occupied Fallujah as the United Nations estimated on Wednesday that there may be as many as 90,000 civilians trapped in the city.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, told Reuters that there may be many more civilians trapped in Fallujah than previously estimated.
“We have underestimated how many civilians are in Fallujah,” she explained. “People who are coming out are giving us the strong impression that we could be talking about maybe 80,000 to 90,000 civilians that are inside.”
“Major efforts are being made to help people as soon as they reach the camps established by the Government. Humanitarian agencies are doing their part as well,” Grande said according to a statement by UN’s Iraq mission.
The Iraqi military announced that it is pushing ahead with its offensive into the city entering the southern neighborhood of al-Shuhada.
In a public message on Thursday Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated Iraqis “the victories of the fighters and a quick return of refugees,”
Previously the army’s advance had been slowed down due to concerns about causing civilian casualties.
The US does not believe the Fallujah offensive is preventing ISIS from launching bomb attacks against Baghdad.
“Some inside the Iraqi government, some inside Baghdad itself felt the attacks [on Baghdad] were coming from Fallujah,” Col. Chris Garver told reporters.
“The attack on Fallujah has not, to this point, changed the rhythm of which they continue to launch these terror attacks inside Baghdad,” he explained.
May was the bloodiest month in the Iraqi capital so far this year. Over 200 people were killed by ISIS car bomb attacks, attacks which many believe drove the Iraqi military to launch this ongoing operation.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, told Reuters that there may be many more civilians trapped in Fallujah than previously estimated.
“We have underestimated how many civilians are in Fallujah,” she explained. “People who are coming out are giving us the strong impression that we could be talking about maybe 80,000 to 90,000 civilians that are inside.”
“Major efforts are being made to help people as soon as they reach the camps established by the Government. Humanitarian agencies are doing their part as well,” Grande said according to a statement by UN’s Iraq mission.
The Iraqi military announced that it is pushing ahead with its offensive into the city entering the southern neighborhood of al-Shuhada.
In a public message on Thursday Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated Iraqis “the victories of the fighters and a quick return of refugees,”
Previously the army’s advance had been slowed down due to concerns about causing civilian casualties.
The US does not believe the Fallujah offensive is preventing ISIS from launching bomb attacks against Baghdad.
“Some inside the Iraqi government, some inside Baghdad itself felt the attacks [on Baghdad] were coming from Fallujah,” Col. Chris Garver told reporters.
“The attack on Fallujah has not, to this point, changed the rhythm of which they continue to launch these terror attacks inside Baghdad,” he explained.
May was the bloodiest month in the Iraqi capital so far this year. Over 200 people were killed by ISIS car bomb attacks, attacks which many believe drove the Iraqi military to launch this ongoing operation.
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