HRW: Iraqi army uses explosive barrels in Fallujah

The Iraqi army threw explosive barrels on populated areas and targeted a hospital during its fight to regain control of the city of Fallujah, in Al-Anbar province west of the country, Human Rights Watch said today.

Iraqi authorities, who have been fighting to regain control of the city of Fallujah from elements belonging to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) since January, denied the accusations.

The Iraqi army declined to comment on the accusations, but Human Rights Watch said in its report that the military denied targeting the Central Hospital of Fallujah and a spokesman for Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki denied using explosive barrels.

The HRW report which was based on witnesses, a security official and residents testimonies said that since the beginning of May, the Iraqi security forces have been throwing explosive barrels on populated areas in Fallujah.

It pointed out that it had seen videos and pictures showing the remains of explosive barrels after a similar explosion.

The Syrian army is also accused of using explosive barrels in its fight against armed opposition groups.