Peshmerga forces accused of destroying Arab homes N. Iraq- Amnesty

1/21/2016 1:06:08 AM

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON Jan 20 (KUNA) -- Peshmerga forces from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have been accused of "destroying" Arab communities in northern Iraq according to a report released Wednesday by Amnesty International a human rights organization.Pehmerga forces have reportedly "bulldozed blown up and burned down thousands of homes in Arab villages" said Amnesty International. "It appears to be used to punish them for their perceived sympathies with so-called Islamic State (IS) and to consolidate territorial gains and establish control over 'disputed areas' of the country." Despite being a partner to the US in the fight against IS the US could not confirm the validity of the report."We're still reviewing it in detail so I'm not going to comment on any of the particular findings but I can tell you that we take these issues very very seriously" said Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) Spokesperson Steve Warren to reporters on Wednesday.He affirmed that the US is in contact with the Iraqi and Kurdish authorities and that the US' position is "very clear". (end) ak.hb

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