IRAQ: Threats, violence in Baghdad threaten new wave of displaced

[maddezmom]

IRAQ: Threats, violence in Baghdad threaten new wave of displaced
BAGHDAD, 18 June 2007 (IRIN) - Sunni families remaining in Shia neighbourhoods of Baghdad are being forced to flee their homes: A 72-hour deadline announced by militants for them to leave these areas or face death expires on 18 June.

The ultimatum has put many Iraqi families in a desperate situation and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are worried as displacement camps could not cope with all the internally displaced people (IDPs) that this ultimatum might trigger.

"Kadhimiya and Shu'ala districts are the most affected. Dozens of Sunnis have been assassinated in their homes since the second attack on Samara mosque on 13 June. Neighbours are invading homes and killing people without remorse," said Abdallah Seif Salman, president of the Iraq Aid Association (IAA).

"Many families are being kidnapped as soon as they leave the area, or the men are being killed by militias. Something should be done to protect these families urgently," Salman added.

Unofficial estimates are that around 400 families have become displaced since the recent Samara bombing.

more:http://wap.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/482b54a75591c118dc7904337068897d.htm

[maddezmom]

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