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UN Concerned About Civilians In Fallujah


Masked Sunni gunmen take up position during fighting in Fallujah, iraq. (file photo)
Masked Sunni gunmen take up position during fighting in Fallujah, iraq. (file photo)
BAGHDAD -- The UN has expressed concern about the fate of civilians in the Iraqi city of Fallujah as fighting between government forces and militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continues.

In a statement issued on February 13, the UN mission chief in Baghdad, Nikolay Mladenov, warned about "rapidly deteriorating conditions in Fallujah" and urged better humanitarian access to the city.

RFE/RL's Iraq Service reported "indiscriminate" shelling going on in several areas of Fallujah and street battles between security forces and militants.

Reports from early on February 13 said that at least five people had been killed and 14 wounded.

Meanwhile, gunmen took control of the northern town of Suleiman Bek, in the Salaheddin Province.

The mayor of the town, who was trapped in the town hall besieged by the gunmen, identified the assailants as ISIL militants


With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

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