The United States is closely monitoring Iraqi forces in Tikrit amid allegations of human rights abuses committed by Baghdad’s troops and allied fighters in an assault to retake the city, a US military official has said.
It was “unclear” if executions and other alleged atrocities had taken place, the senior military official told reporters, but “that’s exactly what we’re going to be watching” for as Iraqi forces move to secure Tikrit.
Iraqi troops backed by paramilitary groups and US-led air strikes took back Tikrit from the IS group last week.
Amnesty International had said yesterday that it was investigating reports of serious rights violations during the Tikrit offensive, including allegations of executions, abductions and the burning and looting of homes.
The US has agreed to provide air power to back up the assault on the IS in Tikrit after the Iraqi government assured Washington it had full control over all forces involved in the operation. That required some Shiite militias with ties to Iran to pull back from attacks on the Tikrit town centre.
The decision to provide US-led air raids demonstrated Washington’s support for the Iraqi government, the military official said.
But the Iraqis “need to understand we will hold them accountable for the aftermath of the Tikrit operation’’, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Shiite-led government in Baghdad will need to fulfil its promises to turn the city over to police, to respect the rights of Sunnis in the area and to deliver prompt humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, the official said.
“We’re watching them very carefully, once the city is completely under control of the central government, whether the central government lives up to its commitment,” the official said.
The United States and rights groups have repeatedly warned that any sectarian-driven abuses will only sow the seeds of future violence and play into the hands of the IS jihadists.