As we obsessively keep our eyes on the security operations orientation taking place in Al-Anbar province, where the security forces since three weeks is trying through to impose its control over the province after the domination of the terrorist forces on a number of its cities. While we strongly condemn the violence exercised by those obscurantism groups, we support our security forces in its war against terrorism, and we would like to point out that the military actions alone will not solve the problem of extremism or terrorism, and that there is a need for social, economical and political solutions as well as security vision that involves the citizens in those cities, this is the only possible way to defeat terrorist and obscurantist ideology and restore the national identity in the face of sectarianism and division.

On the other hand we call on the Iraqi government to protect civilians and help them get to a safe place, and according to reports we got from local and international humanitarian organizations, there are hundreds of families left their homes because of the security operations in the districts and cities of Al-Anbar province, in the time where food and medical supplies are scarce, as well as almost completely disabling of daily life.

Our duty is to appeal to the Iraqi and international civil society organizations, to come and help the unarmed civilians, and provide necessary nutrients and medications, we also demand the Iraqi government to abide by treaties and international conventions ratified by the Iraqi authorities to respect human rights and help the affected people who have no sin, and who live in those cities and areas subjected to the security operations. As well as providing safe places for them until the completion of these operations.

The National Committee of the Iraqi Social Forum

January 16, 2014