Tribesmen Back Down as ISIS Detains Dozens in Fallujah

Tribal Leaders Fault Iraqi Military for Not Supporting Uprising

by | Feb 21, 2016

An uprising by tribal factions in the Anbar Province city of Fallujah appears to have died out today, after two days of fighting, following the ISIS detention of a large number of residents in the city who were said to be affiliated with the tribe.

Reports on the number differ, but the Anbar governor’s office reported 60 were detained, and tribal leaders suggested it was actually more than 100. Fear ISIS would execute the detainees played a big role in the tribes standing down.

But it was only part of the equation, as tribal officials said they were also low of supplies after two days of fighting, and had received no aid from the Iraqi military. One Anbar MP added that he would hold the prime minister responsible for any massacre that results in Fallujah.

Fallujah is the second largest ISIS-held city in Iraq, and has been held by ISIS for around two years. Before that, the city was in a state of open revolt against the Maliki government for the sacking of top Sunni political figures.

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