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Iraq conflict: UN warns of possible Amerli 'massacre' | Iraq conflict: UN warns of possible Amerli 'massacre' |
(1 day later) | |
The UN has called for action to prevent what it says may be a possible massacre in the northern Iraqi town of Amerli. | The UN has called for action to prevent what it says may be a possible massacre in the northern Iraqi town of Amerli. |
Special representative Nickolay Mladenov says he is "seriously alarmed" by reports regarding the conditions in which the town's residents live. | Special representative Nickolay Mladenov says he is "seriously alarmed" by reports regarding the conditions in which the town's residents live. |
Amerli, under siege by Islamic State (IS) for two months, has no electricity or drinking water, and is running out of food and medical supplies. | Amerli, under siege by Islamic State (IS) for two months, has no electricity or drinking water, and is running out of food and medical supplies. |
IS has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months. | IS has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months. |
Since 8 August, the US has carried out 94 air strikes to support Iraqi and Kurdish troops tackling the insurgents. | Since 8 August, the US has carried out 94 air strikes to support Iraqi and Kurdish troops tackling the insurgents. |
'Immediate action' needed | 'Immediate action' needed |
The majority of Amerli's residents are Turkmen Shia, seen as apostates by IS. | The majority of Amerli's residents are Turkmen Shia, seen as apostates by IS. |
The town's inhabitants say they have had to organise their own resistance to the militants and no foreign aid has reached the town since the siege began. | The town's inhabitants say they have had to organise their own resistance to the militants and no foreign aid has reached the town since the siege began. |
"The situation of the people in Amerli is desperate and demands immediate action to prevent the possible massacre of its citizens," Mr Mladenov said in a statement. | "The situation of the people in Amerli is desperate and demands immediate action to prevent the possible massacre of its citizens," Mr Mladenov said in a statement. |
"I urge the Iraqi government to do all it can to relieve the siege and to ensure that the residents receive life-saving humanitarian assistance or are evacuated in a dignified manner." | "I urge the Iraqi government to do all it can to relieve the siege and to ensure that the residents receive life-saving humanitarian assistance or are evacuated in a dignified manner." |
Mr Mladenov's deputy, Gyorgy Busztin, told the BBC that the UN had no contact with IS representatives. | Mr Mladenov's deputy, Gyorgy Busztin, told the BBC that the UN had no contact with IS representatives. |
"We are not talking to terrorists and this is a matter of principle," he said. | "We are not talking to terrorists and this is a matter of principle," he said. |
"There is no way anybody can have any positive effect on these people. We have contacts with moderate Sunnis connected to the... areas which [IS] has overrun." | "There is no way anybody can have any positive effect on these people. We have contacts with moderate Sunnis connected to the... areas which [IS] has overrun." |
On Friday, the most influential Shia cleric in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, expressed concern over the plight of Amerli's inhabitants. | On Friday, the most influential Shia cleric in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, expressed concern over the plight of Amerli's inhabitants. |
The rise of IS has sparked widespread violence. | The rise of IS has sparked widespread violence. |
Who are Islamic State (IS)? | Who are Islamic State (IS)? |
'End-of-days' vision | 'End-of-days' vision |
On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel described IS as an imminent threat to the US. | On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel described IS as an imminent threat to the US. |
Gen Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said IS was "an organisation that has an apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision and which will eventually have to be defeated". | Gen Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said IS was "an organisation that has an apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision and which will eventually have to be defeated". |
He said that IS fighters' bases in Syria also had to be attacked. | He said that IS fighters' bases in Syria also had to be attacked. |
The Shia-dominated Iraqi government has been trying to secure backing from Sunni groups in its battle against IS jihadists. | The Shia-dominated Iraqi government has been trying to secure backing from Sunni groups in its battle against IS jihadists. |
Prime Minister designate Haider al-Abadi, a moderate Shia, is trying to form a more inclusive government - following international criticism of outgoing PM Nouri Maliki, who was widely seen as a divisive figure. | Prime Minister designate Haider al-Abadi, a moderate Shia, is trying to form a more inclusive government - following international criticism of outgoing PM Nouri Maliki, who was widely seen as a divisive figure. |
The IS campaign has displaced an estimated 1.2 million people in Iraq, many of them minority Christians and Yazidis. | The IS campaign has displaced an estimated 1.2 million people in Iraq, many of them minority Christians and Yazidis. |
Refugees say the hardline Islamists have demanded that Christians and Yazidis convert to Islam, threatening them with death if they refuse. | Refugees say the hardline Islamists have demanded that Christians and Yazidis convert to Islam, threatening them with death if they refuse. |