The city of Fallujah is one of the Islamic State Group’s most emblematic bastions, in the western province of Anbar. It is creating a window for some civilians to flee the city’s outlying areas. Hence, Iraq forces launched a broad operation one week ago to retake Fallujah City.

The Norwegian Refugee Council is aiding around 3,000 people who fled over the past week. Nasra Najm, a victim said ‘We are accepting all of this. Thank God, we have fled IS suffering.’ They let us starve and suffer from thirst. They took the men. Don’t know they were kidnapped or killed.

When we went to ask about our men, they said go home and they will return soon. But they were lying.

When army advanced towards the Hossai Area (near Fallujah), it provided an opportunity for families to flee. IS planted IEDs along the road, hence, so many people were killed and injured.