The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said on Sunday that civilians trying to cross the Euphrates River in order to flee the fighting are being targeted by armed opposition groups.
“Civilians who manage to leave the central city are received in camps set up by the government and the UN, where they get basic medical care”, Nasr Muflahi, country director of the Norwegian Refugee Council said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced in footage broadcast on state television on Wednesday, that the military offensive to liberate Fallujah has been slowed down due to fears for the safety of civilians being used as human shield in the city.
People fleeing Fallujah have been using anything that floats to help them get across the river, which is about 250 to 300 metres wide at the crossing point in farmland just south of the city.