ICRC ”concerned” for civilians in Fallujah
The Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it is extremely concerned about the fate of civilians caught up in fighting in Fallujah.
In an interview with swissinfo, ICRC spokeswoman Rana Sidani said she “hoped” the message would be heard by United States military authorities in Iraq.
Fallujah is a Sunni stronghold, seen as a hotbed of foreign Muslim militants and insurgents loyal to the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
According to the US military, “hundreds” of rebels have been killed in fighting in Fallujah since the latest offensive on the city started on Monday.
Around 10,000 US marines, soldiers and Iraqi forces have been involved in the assault on Fallujah, located 65 kilometres west of the capital, Baghdad.
There are no official figures on the number of civilian casualties, but the ICRC says it – together with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society – is providing food, water and medical supplies to thousands of citizens of Fallujah who have fled the city.
swissinfo: What are the ICRC’s main concerns about the assault on Fallujah?
Rana Sidani: We have two main humanitarian concerns in Fallujah. First, that civilians are still trapped in the city. They need to be spared from attacks. That’s why the ICRC has reminded all those involved in the armed confrontation that international humanitarian law prohibits the killing or harming of civilians who are not taking an active part in the hostilities.
Our second concern is that there are many injured civilians who are in the part of the city which is not under the control of the multinational forces. Two health centres are not operational, so these people do not have access to medical treatment and are not receiving adequate care.
swissinfo: Are the US military authorities listening to your concerns?
R.S.: How can we know? We are not present there to see how things are developing, but we hope that we will be heard.
We understand the difficulties and the need on the part of the multinational forces to establish security. But at the same time, we remind them that even in war there are rules which should be respected and civilians who should be spared.
swissinfo: How is the ICRC helping those caught up in the fighting in Fallujah?
R.S.: Well, as I said we are unfortunately not present in the city itself due to security constraints. But we have contact with many families in Fallujah who are giving us information about what is going on [inside the city].
In terms of humanitarian aid, on Thursday we distributed food parcels to around 1,000 displaced families who have fled from Fallujah to Baghdad and taken refuge in schools.
swissinfo: Eyewitnesses have described the situation in Fallujah as “desperate”, with no clean water and food in short supply. What have you heard about conditions inside the city?
R.S.: We have received a report from the director of the Iraqi water board which indicates that two water treatment stations in Fallujah are not functioning… so a shortage of drinking water is certainly a possibility.
swissinfo-interview: Ramsey Zarifeh
The Swiss-run ICRC has around 400 locally employed staff in Baghdad.
The humanitarian organisation does not have any presence inside Fallujah, due to “security constraints”.
Expatriate staff come to Iraq on specific missions but are currently based in Amman, Jordan.
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