Iran warns of humanitarian crisis in Iraq’s Amerli

Iran has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in the northern Iraqi town of Amerli and the killing of civilians at the hands of terrorists, urging swift international action to help people caught in the area besieged by Takfiri ISIL militants.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Tuesday praised the resistance of people in Amerli, which is now in its third month, in the face of ISIL terrorists despite a lack of arms and food.

The residents of this small Shia Turkmen community about 180 km north of Baghdad have been living under siege for more than two months.

Afkham criticized the double-standards of Western countries, particularly the US, in dealing with terrorism and humanitarian issues.

“At a time when Western media have admitted that death has cast its shadow on residents in this region of Iraq’s Salahuddin Province, no measure has been taken to lift the siege on civilians and transfer them to safe havens,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.

She urged international circles, particularly the United Nations, and other relief and humanitarian organizations to take prompt action to help women, children and the elderly in Amerli and to provide them with humanitarian aid.

The spokesperson also voiced Iran’s firm support for the Iraqi government and army in their fight against terrorism and said Tehran is prepared to dispatch humanitarian assistance to people in Amerli.

Afkham’s remarks came as Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi promised aid for the town and urged the army to send fresh troops and logistical support to Amerli.