Large numbers of wounded and dead civilians in Fallujah hospitals

Some 115 corpses and 610 wounded civilians have been sent to Fallujah General Hospital since the clashes between the army and tribal rebels started two months ago, Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.

The hospital’s Chief Doctor Ahmed Al-Shami said most of the corpses belonged to women and children. He said the majority of those wounded were women and children.

“These are initial figures,” Al-Shami said. “A number of wounded were treated and released from hospital immediately, while others were taken to hospitals in Baghdad or in neighbouring countries to be treated at the expense of their relatives,” he added.

The Ministry of Health did not release any figures about the number of those injured or killed since the clashes began in Al-Anbar governorates.

A 72 hour ultimatum given by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence totribal rebels in Fallujah ended on Monday. The ministry ceased its military operations in Fallujah to allow for a peaceful solution to the crisis to be found.

In a press conference held on Monday in Baghdad the Head of the Iraqi parliament Usama Al-Nojeefi called for a complete and immediate halt of military operations. He also called for displaced residents to return back to their homes.

Fallujah has been under the control of tribal rebels for more than one and half a month. There are claims that members of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant are stationed in the city.

All the governerates of Al-Anbar have been witnessing irregular military clashes between the Iraqi army and the tribal rebels for about two months. The clashes started when the Iraqi army arrested the Sunni parliamentarian Ahmed Al-Alwani in December 28, 2013.