Fighting in Iraq's Fallujah 'stops after IS group seizes residents'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Fighting in Iraq's Fallujah 'stops after IS group seizes residents', 21 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdf3dc.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 21, 2016
Clashes between Iraqi tribesmen and the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Fallujah have reportedly halted after the militants detained dozens of residents.
Local official Issa Sayir estimated the number of detainees at about 60, while a lieutenant colonel and a tribal leader were quoted as saying the figure was more than 100.
"The clashes stopped because of the imbalance of power and fear that the detainees would be executed," Sayir said on February 21.
Fighting between the Sunni Arab tribesmen and IS militants in Fallujah began on February 19. There were reports of casualties on both sides.
Sayir said a military operation would be launched in the Fallujah area in the coming days, while the Iraqi Army was quoted as saying that reinforcements had arrived in the outskirts of the city, located 50 kilometers west of Baghdad.
Fallujah is one of the two major Iraqi cities controlled by the IS group, the other being Mosul.
Based on reporting by AFP and IraqiNews.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website