UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Iraqi armed forces have recently made great strides against the remaining pockets of Daesh militants in the central city of Fallujah, which has been an Daesh stronghold since 2014.
"The Secretary-General welcomed the progress made by Iraq’s security forces in retaking areas from Daesh," a UN statement read.
Ban pledged UN support in addressing the "severe humanitarian needs of civilians in Fallujah," but urged the minister to investigate reports that claim armed groups allied with the Iraqi government have been abusing displaced Fallujah residents.
A UN human rights spokesperson said earlier this month that the Geneva office had received footage, which it could not authenticate, showing people being beaten by men clad in military fatigues. Some 600 people vanished after being taken into custody by armed groups operating in support of Iraqi security forces, the UN official said.
