HRW says Iraqi pro-government militias demolish civilian property for no reason

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi government should investigate looting and demolitions of civilians’ property by armed forces combating Islamic State militants between November and February, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday, casting light on violations by pro-government militias.

“Armed forces fighting Islamic State (also known as ISIS) to retake a town and four villages near Mosul looted, damaged, and destroyed homes,”Human Rights Watch said Thursday in a report. “There was no apparent military necessity for the demolitions, which may amount to war crimes,” it added.

The organization said it documented “looting and extensive demolition of buildings in three villages using explosives, heavy machinery, and fire.” It said satellite imagery showed the destruction of at least 345 buildings, including the main mosque, in the village of Ashwa, between December and February by the Popular Mobilization Forces/Units, a conglomerate of Shia volunteer militias fighting Islamic State alongside the Iraqi government troops.

While PMF members approached by the organization said IS extremists were the ones who booby-trapped the houses and used them as artillery positions, HRW said evidences it documented showed much of the destruction occurred after PMF troops took over those regions.

The report urged states providing support for armed forces in Iraq to press the government to probe the violations. “The United Nations Human Rights Council should expand the investigation it established in 2014 on ISIS abuses to include serious violations by all parties, including the Popular Mobilization Forces,” it added.