France concerned about civilians in Fallujah

France yesterday expressed concern about civilians in the Iraqi city of Fallujah which has embroiled in battles between Daesh and the Iraqi army.

France is concerned about the situation of the civilian population of Falluja who are victims of a siege and “de facto hostages of Daesh, which deliberately targets civilians fleeing the city,” the French Foreign Ministry said.

It called on all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law.

Civilians in Fallujah have been caught in what the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) called “double jeopardy” where they have been abused and killed by Daesh forces on the one hand and, if they manage to escape, the Iraqi army on the other.

Fallujah fell into the hands of Daesh in 2014.

The Iraqi army launched a military operation to regain control of the city on 23 May.