Iraq probes alleged massacre by Shia militia in Diyala
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered an investigation into allegations Shia militiamen massacred Sunni residents of an eastern village. Witnesses said more than 70 people were killed on Monday after pro-government forces expelled Islamic State (IS) from its last stronghold in Diyala province. But military officials dismissed the claims of a massacre in Barwana, saying they […]Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered an investigation into allegations Shia militiamen massacred Sunni residents of an eastern village. Witnesses said more than 70 people were killed on Monday after pro-government forces expelled Islamic State (IS) from its last stronghold in Diyala province. But military officials dismissed the claims of a massacre in Barwana, saying they had been fabricated.
The UN's envoy to Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov, welcomed Mr Abadi's decision. "It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all armed forces are under its control, that rule of law is respected and that civilians are protected in all areas of the country, including those areas recently liberated from IS," he said in a statement.
