Shiite militia issues orders for Fallujah assault: no looting, no torture
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – As its forces push toward Sunni-dominated Fallujah alongside the Iraqi Army, the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militia has pledged to safeguard the lives of captives, protect private properties and help civilians fleeing the city from the Islamic State (ISIS).
The rules and regulations were announced Tuesday by the Hashd forces, which together with the Iraqi Army, Sunni tribal fighters and air support by the US-led coalition are involved in the offensive to liberate Fallujah.
"Any Iraqi or foreign (ISIS) militant taken captive should be handed over to the Hashd al-Shaabi security department or, if wounded, should be rushed to the nearest medical center to receive treatment," read a statement issued by Hashd al-Shaabi command.
"No hostages should be tortured and they should be questioned and investigated by Iraqi courts," the statement said.
The regulations are meant to quell concerns about past instances of the Iranian-backed militia unleashing acts of revenge and looting whenever they were involved in fighting with the Iraqi Army to liberate Sunni-dominated regions.
The joint forces pushing toward Fallujah have so far reported good progress in the offensive, which began Sunday. But at least 15 civilians and 35 Iraqi forces and militiamen have been reported killed.
"People's properties have to be preserved since the Fallujah residents are our people," according to the issued regulations.
"Our main purpose in this operation is to restore security and peace to the area," they add.
Reports stated that 80 families have escaped Fallujah in the last few days, with more than 10,000 more stuck inside the city.
While Iraqi military and paramilitary forces have had the city encircled for over a year, this is their first serious attempt to force the militants from the city.
ISIS initially captured Fallujah back in January 2014, making it its first and longest-held city.
The rules and regulations were announced Tuesday by the Hashd forces, which together with the Iraqi Army, Sunni tribal fighters and air support by the US-led coalition are involved in the offensive to liberate Fallujah.
"Any Iraqi or foreign (ISIS) militant taken captive should be handed over to the Hashd al-Shaabi security department or, if wounded, should be rushed to the nearest medical center to receive treatment," read a statement issued by Hashd al-Shaabi command.
"No hostages should be tortured and they should be questioned and investigated by Iraqi courts," the statement said.
The regulations are meant to quell concerns about past instances of the Iranian-backed militia unleashing acts of revenge and looting whenever they were involved in fighting with the Iraqi Army to liberate Sunni-dominated regions.
The joint forces pushing toward Fallujah have so far reported good progress in the offensive, which began Sunday. But at least 15 civilians and 35 Iraqi forces and militiamen have been reported killed.
"People's properties have to be preserved since the Fallujah residents are our people," according to the issued regulations.
"Our main purpose in this operation is to restore security and peace to the area," they add.
Reports stated that 80 families have escaped Fallujah in the last few days, with more than 10,000 more stuck inside the city.
While Iraqi military and paramilitary forces have had the city encircled for over a year, this is their first serious attempt to force the militants from the city.
ISIS initially captured Fallujah back in January 2014, making it its first and longest-held city.