UN Website
19 May 2014 –
A UN statement notes the Secretary-General’s concern about the security situation in Anbar province.
In that regard, Mr. Ban urges the Iraqi Government to ensure that military operations against terrorism are conducted in accordance with the country’s international and constitutional human rights obligations.
“The Secretary-General condemns the deliberate flooding of the Abu Ghraib area…,” the statement says, reiterating Mr. Ban’s appeal regarding the need to address the humanitarian needs of the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the ongoing fighting in Anbar Province.
Just last week, Nickolay Mladenov, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), expressed his concern about reports of increased armed activities in Fallujah, in Anbar province, and its impact on civilians. “The people of Anbar have suffered from terrorism and violence for too long. All efforts must be made to ensure that fighting ends, people return to their homes, and reconstruction can begin,” he said, adding: “It is vital that those affected by the fighting are able to receive humanitarian support.” Fighting in Anbar in recent months between Iraqi troops and al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are residing in schools, mosques and other public buildings and are in need of various humanitarian items.