Palestinians threatened in Anbar

IRIN reports that Palestinians living in Anbar have come under increasing pressure from militants to leave or be killed, according to NGOs and Palestinian sources. “Palestinians had been looking for safety and had found it in Anbar province but now they are being targeted [there also]. The threats they have received are an effrontery against the feelings of Muslim Arabs. They have nowhere to go and might be killed if they try to go to another place,” Mahmoud Aydan, a media officer for the Ramadi council, said. “We believe that there are about 150 families taking refuge in different cities of Anbar province but they haven’t been registered with the National Food Programme which makes it harder to know their exact location.” Ahmed Muffitlak, spokesman for the Baghdad-based Palestinian Muslims Association (PMA) said he was concerned about the fate of Palestinians in Anbar province after militants left threatening notes on the doors of Palestinians taking refuge in the area. “At least 17 families have fled Ramadi after militants gave them a week to leave their homes or become the next victims of violence in Iraq." Muffitlak is in Ramadi trying to persuade the local authorities to protect Palestinians.

Ahmed Raki, a 43-year-old Palestinian father of three lives in Ramadi. “There are dozens of [Palestinian] families living with Iraqis in Ramadi, Fallujah and al-Qaim and the threats have been delivered to their homes. We don’t have money, goods and some elderly people are very sick, requiring urgent medical assistance. But they will be forced to flee the area to save their lives. Two girls from our community were raped last week by militants who told them that it was a message to the Palestinians in Anbar to leave the area,” Raki added. “I have to leave before my two daughters meet the same fate.”

Palestinian killed in Baghdad explosion

Mohammad Shihada left Al Baladiyyat compound in Baghdad, this morning, to go to Al Yarmouk Hospital to conduct medical checkups and receive medications for a chronic disease. He was killed, along with his Iraqi nephew, in an explosive charge apparently left on the side of the street.

2 Palestinians killed in prison

Mafkarat al-Islam reported that two Palestinian refugees living in Iraq had been tortured to death in Iraqi Interior Ministry prisons. The Palestinian Information Center quoted Palestinians who were among a group of 12 who were locked up in an Interior Ministry prison who said that the two were killed when they were being tortured in an attempt to extract “confessions” that they were responsible of attacks on the US and its local puppet allies. The source indicated that seven Palestinian refugees, detained in the Interior Ministry’s prisons since the massacres in the al-Baladiyat neighborhood of Baghdad two weeks ago, are expected to be released on Monday. Palestinian sources said that the Interior Ministry, launched a major campaign of raids, searches, and mass arrests targeted on Palestinians in Baghdad in the last two days. A group of four large buses hauled about 200 Palestinian refugees out of Baghdad, dumping them at the al-Walid tent camp near the Iraqi border with Syria.

UNCHR reports abuses in detention

UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond said "UNHCR and other organisations have also received allegations of physical abuse and possibly torture being carried out [on Palestinians] in detention, an allegation denied by the Iraqi authorities. One ex-detainee reported he was beaten on his back and suffered a broken hand. He believed that others had been subjected to worse treatment." Seperately UNHCR notes that it has "received reports that the families of several detained Palestinians have been forced to pay thousands of dollars to some members of the Iraqi security forces – allegedly for protection from torture and mutilation of their family members while in detention. Higher sums have reportedly been demanded to ensure their release. The Palestinians who arrived at the border claimed that their houses had been raided by the special forces, their furniture thrown out of their homes and that they were told they had two days to leave their homes. Others claimed they had been detained and maltreated before being released. UNHCR is also very much concerned about the safety of NGOs working with the Palestinians. On March 13, one NGO staff dealing with the Palestinian community was abducted in front of his son by unknown men and found dead the next day." He added that at least 186 Palestinians had been confirmed murdered in Baghdad between April 2004 and January this year. UNHCR believes the number may be significantly higher. "How much more will have to happen before the international community and the countries in the region respond positively to calls to have Palestinians relocated out of Iraq," said Andrew Harper, head of UNHCR's Iraq Support Unit. "The Palestinians are particularly targeted, not protected and have nowhere to flee to."

Update on Baladiat raid + condemnation from UNHCR

UNHCR has condemned Thursday's raid, apparently part of the Baghdad secu. It says at least one person was killed and "Sixty people were reportedly detained during Wednesday's raid, but most were released and just nine are said to be still in detention. The raid prompted at least 41 other Palestinians to flee the capital and join 850 compatriots who have been stranded at the Iraq-Syria border since last May. [and] "More are expected to be on their way," UNHCR chief spokesperson, Ron Redmond, told reporters in Geneva." The dead man was a guard at a Baghdad mosque and reportedly suffered at least one gunshot to the head."

Iraq Slogger notes that the Iraqi News Agency reported Palestinian Prime Minister Isma'il Haniya and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas both condemned the raid and demanding that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani protect the Palestinian refugee community in Iraq from victimization at the hands of both the government forces and armed religious groups.

Iraqi police attack Palestinian compound

There are a number of reports on an attack on a Palestinian appartment building in Baladiat district yesterday, the figures and accounts vary: The AP reports that Iraqi security forces raided a Palestinian compound in Baghdad after an attack on a police patrol, prompting a battle that left one Palestinian dead, Iraqi officials, and at least 15 Palestinians were detained. Palestinian charge d'affaires Dalil al-Qusous said as many as 80 Palestinians had been detained and demanded their release. He claimed the Iraqi troops fired randomly during the raid, causing "fear and awe." Another AP report quotes Qusous further "We used to say the attacks occurred by militias or gangs; but now the state is attacking" and he continued explaining that Interior Ministry forces first broke into the compound in eastern Baghdad on Tuesday, seizing two Palestinians and shooting randomly. Then they returned for about five hours on Wednesday, detaining dozens and sparking a gunbattle that killed one Palestinian. A later AP report added that the Interior Ministry spokesman, Brig. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, defending the raid on the Palestinian compound in eastern Baghdad, saying it was targeting a stolen car network, not the Palestinians. Police met with fierce resistance when they went to arrest suspects on Wednesday and he said "three gang members were killed and 15 others arrested." The LA Times writes "Iraqi police and soldiers traded fire with gunmen holed up in an apartment building inhabited by Palestinian refugees in east Baghdad. At least two people were killed and three injured inside the building, police said at the scene. U.S. and Iraqi security forces surrounded the building and apprehended up to 70 suspects." The IraqSlogger, based on a report from the Haqq Agency, says "Eyewitnesses said that ten people were killed in the raids and several others wounded after Iraqi troops opened fire randomly." Reuters reports that "Iraqi troops raided a complex in eastern Baghdad occupied by Palestinian refugees after receiving information that a car bomb was inside the compound, Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Abdul Karim Khalaf said. Khalaf said shooting broke out and three men gunmen were killed and 25 others were arrested, including Iraqis and Palestianians."

Mahdi Army abducts & kills Palestinian in Tobchi district

Iraqslogger translates a report from the Arabic Haqq news agency, stating that "that Mahdi Army militiamen abducted a Palestinian citizen from outside his house in the Tobchi district, west of Baghdad. His family found his corpse dumped near the railroad in the area, which is where Shi’ite militias that control the district dispose of bodies."

>31 attacks on Palestinians in February

The Palestinian Ministry of Refugees today issued a report noting 31 attacks Palestinian in Iraq in February (and estimating there were dozens more that went unreported), resulting in 8 deaths. The attacks also included breaking into houses, beating the residents, and stealing money and household items. It said that at least 15 were abducted by insurgents and U.S troops. Two of the abducted refugees were released, the bodies of two others were discovered with signs of torture, and the fate of the others remains unknown. The Ministry called on the Jordanian and Syrian governments to allow in the Palestinian refugees who are stranded on the borders under harsh conditions. Zakariya al-Agha, Member of the PLO Executive Committee, called on the Iraqi Government to protect the Palestinian refugees and work for improving their deteriorated living conditions. He added that the a delegation from the PLO will visit Iraq to meet with the Palestinian refugees there and follow up the situation with the Iraqi government.

Palestinian writer killed

IMEMC reports that the Iraq refugees' affairs ministry announced the death of Ahmed Alriyahie , a Palestinian writer originally from Tulkarem; according to the Iraqi ministry, Alriyahie was shot when unknown gang members attacked his house on Sunday.

Palestinian from al-Sieha kidnapped & killed

IMEMC reports that Anwar Mohamed, a Palestinian, was found dead in a street in downtown Baghdad city near a vegetable market. The man's family reported that a group of masked unknown gunmen attacked the family house located Al Sieha neighborhood in the city; an area which is mainly inhabited by Palestinian refugees. The gunmen destroyed the house then kidnapped Anwar and another, disabled, man. The disabled man was released shortly after being kidnapped on Sunday, he suffered from bone fractures due to torture while Anwar died after being shot in the head on Monday morning.

Security operation in Baladiat

Gulf News reports that the Palestinian Ambassador, Dalil Kassous, has welcomed the new security plan conducted by Iraqi and US forces despite the launch of a security operation in the Baladiyat district and the arrest of three young Palestinians. "Palestinians are for any security plan that leads to peace and security in Iraq, and this will guarantee security for the Palestinian community living in this Arabic country. There are ongoing security operations in the Baladiyat district, which includes the largest Palestinian community in Baghdad. This development must be understood as a part of the general situation in most Iraqi districts and thus we don't think it is addressed against Palestinians particularly." Kassous stressed there is ongoing movement to release Palestinian detainees accused of terrorism. He pointed out the Palestinian-Iraqi Shiite relationship is in its best phase and there is continuing dialogue with Shiite leaders to promote this relationship. "The Iraqi political leaders' general view about Palestinians' loyalty to Saddam Hussain had diminished. They believe that terrorist acts directed at the Palestinian community are part of the general security situation .. and that doesn't mean Iraqi Shiite- Palestinians relations are marred."

Growing stigmatisation of Palestinians

Th AP underlines the growing stigmatisation of Palestinians, as part of a "wave of resentment" as Iraqis increasingly point the finger at "foreign Arabs". A television ad, widely aired across Iraq in recent weeks, shows a wealthy Arab man, with a foreign accent, giving an Iraqi teenager some cash and a bomb to plant. Police burst in and arrest him. "You come here from abroad and want to make this young man kill his Iraqi brothers?" an officer accuses. After a suicide truck bomb killed more than 132 people in a Baghdad market a few weeks ago, the head of the Interior Ministry's explosives department, Maj. Gen. Jihad al-Jabiri, said: "I call on the government to deport (foreign) Arabs immediately."

The article says some of the resentment stems from: "Saddam lavished large cash payments on Palestinian suicide bombers in the 1990s, when Iraq faced crippling economic sanctions and many Iraqis were jobless. That caused Iraqis to feel strong resentment toward Palestinians... Sabah Abdul-Wahed, a 35-year-old Shiite Muslim cashier at a restaurant in Baghdad's predominantly Shiite neighborhood of New Baghdad, said he can't help feeling resentment toward foreign Arabs who live in Iraq. "They had more privileges than Iraqis, and under Saddam they had better lives than ours. I don't mean all Arabs but many of them.""

3 Palestinians abducted

The Civil Network for Aiding Palestinian Refugees in Iraq reported on Tuesday night that three Palestinian refugees were abducted by an armed group in one of Baghdad’s districts. The three were Ibrahim Saleh Abu Abdoun (a lawyer), Ayman Baha’ Ed Deen Al Marzouqi, and Waleed Khalid Sadeq. (IMEMC news)

Rocket attack kills Palestinian in Baghdad

Online Palestine reported that Ala Al Shalabi, was killed during a rocket attack that targeted the restaurant he works in in downtown Baghdad city. This site reports that Palestinians are being killed in Iraq on nearly a daily basis.

Brothers killed

WAFA, the Palestinian news agency reports that Two Palestinian brothers, Hosaam and Mohammed al-Tallaa', were killed in an attack carried out by an armed militia against the neighbourhood they live in.

90 flee Baghdad after yesterday's abductions

UNHCR reports that "a group of up to 90 terrified Palestinian men, women and children fled Baghdad in two rented buses early Wednesday morning headed towards the Syrian border, a day after some 30 Palestinian men were taken from their apartments by unidentified uniformed men who later released them."

Seventeen Palestinian men from Baghdad's Hay El Nidal neighbourhood were forcibly taken from their homes early Tuesday morning and released seven hours later. Another 13 were reportedly detained in the Al Amin area near Baladiyat and released shortly thereafter. What happened to the men during their abduction remains unclear. But the men and their families were clearly traumatized by the ordeal and afraid to provide any details. All Palestinian families living in a Hay El Nidal apartment building rented by UNHCR had abandoned their homes by Wednesday. Some fled to other parts of the city, while others joined the group headed toward Syria.

The abductions caused great panic among the Palestinian community. Some Palestinians told UNHCR they "feared the attack of militias at any time." Many other Palestinians told UNHCR that they wanted to leave as well, but couldn't because they lacked proper documents, or because they still have family members in Baghdad who cannot go. "Of all the groups being targeted in Iraq, the Palestinians are the most vulnerable as they literally have nowhere else to flee, and in many cases have been denied travel documents," said Andrew Harper, the Geneva-based senior Iraq operations manager. "The international community must act now to help these people. A safe haven needs to be found immediately, outside Iraq."

Saleem al-Za'noun, Head of the Palestinian National Council, said the killing of Palestinian refugees in Iraq at the hand of armed militias may lead to genocide. He said that the world is raising no finger at this aggression which is carried out against the Palestinian refugees in public and at daytime. He also said that the Palestinian leadership demanded the Iraqi brothers to protect the Palestinian refugees in Iraq.

17 Palestinians kidnapped in Baghdad

Men allegedly wearing uniforms of the Iraqi security forces abducted a group of 17 Palestinians in Baghdad early on Tuesday, UNHCR said. Several uniformed men entered the building rented by UNHCR at 5 am, broke doors and windows and took away 17 Palestinian men but left women behind, the agency's spokesman Ron Redmond told reporters. Some of the Palestinians were released later on Tuesday, he said. But Redmond was unable to say how many and how they were released. "Palestinians are increasingly targeted for killings, kidnapping, harassment and other abuses," he said. "It's very difficult for Palestinians to move because of a lack of documentation." They were often unable to get the necessary paperwork to leave the country, Redmond said. "Many of those in Baghdad who have tried to leave have been turned back by militia." He continued: "It is urgent that international support is found to bring at least a temporary solution for Palestinians from Iraq." He noted that UNHCR had already tried, to no avail, to secure them entry into Jordan and Syria, return to the Palestinian territories with the permission of Israel, relocation to other Arab states, and resettlement outside the region. "At the same time, we continue to advocate for better protection of the Palestinian community inside Iraq. But under the present circumstances, return to Iraq is no option unless security is restored. Right now, it's an untenable situation for the Palestinians and it is deteriorating on a daily basis."

UNAMI HRO nov-dec report

The latest report by the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq's Human Rights Office outlines the perilous situation of the Palestinians. See here for a document containing relevant clippings from all UNAMI reports since July 2005.

Killings, threats, intimidations, and kidnappings are becoming the norm for Palestinians in Iraq. Many of these actions are reportedly carried out by the militias wearing police or special forces uniform. Most of the victims are found dead or simply disappear. Sixteen Palestinians were kidnapped and 9 killed during the reporting period. HRO received unconfirmed reports that many victims were interrogated and killed in illegal detention centres run by militias. Many residents have reported receiving threatening letters demanding they evacuate their houses and many of the abandoned houses were later occupied allegedly by members of militias or their affiliates.

On 2 November, two individuals were killed in front of their parents by the Iraqi National Guard in Al Fadil area in Baghdad. On 27 November, the body of 72-year-old Tawfiq Abdul Khaliq was found bearing signs of torture. On 13 November, unidentified gunmen killed a female Palestinian in Al Mashtel area in Baghdad. Her house was occupied by militias and when she asked MNF-I for help, the militia torched her house before departing. Other Palestinians were targeted and kidnapped for ransom and then released or killed. On 30 November, a taxi driver, was kidnapped at the Al Habibia area and then released. A shopkeeper was taken from his shop in Al Mashtel area on 2 December. The kidnappers came in one police and three civilian cars. His body was found on 7 December at the Baghdad morgue.

Attacks on the Palestinian compound in Baladiyat in Baghdad for instance are frequent in order to compel Palestinians to leave their dwellings and their belongings. Baladiyat is located in the midst of a Shiite area and threats are usually followed by small arms fire and mortar attacks. In the past two months, at least six incidents of organized attacks on the Palestinian compound have been recorded, such as on 26 November, when a group of gunmen stormed the quarter and demanded Palestinians leave or be shot. On 9 December, three mortar shells landed in Al Baladiyat wounding ten. On 13 December, mortar attacks continued to rain on the compound for three hours, killing up to 11 and injuring more. There were reports that the area was cordoned off by police, according to some accounts, and by militias according to others, thus preventing injured Palestinians to reach hospitals.

HRO and UNHCR maintain regular contacts and continue to monitor the situation of Palestinians. On at least two occasions in December, UNAMI had to call upon MNF-I to intervene while the Palestinian compound was being attacked. The police and MNF-I were reported to have arrived after the attacks had ended, and briefly patrolled the area. UNHCR reported that 350 Palestinians from Iraq (who recently left Baghdad) remain near the Al Tanf border crossing between Iraq and Syria in a makeshift refugee camp located in the no man's land between both borders. They have been denied entry by the Syrian government and they refused to return to Iraq. As a result, they have been living in increasingly desperate circumstances for the past six months. There are 131 Palestinians still within Iraq near Al Tanf border. Similarly, at the border with Jordan, 7 Palestinians remain between the Jordanian and the Iraqi border.

Palestinians at funeral appeal to Hamas

The Baghdad correspondent for Mafkarat al-Islam reported that a condolence meeting was held for 30-year-old Ahmad Ma'lah, a Palestinian murdered by the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia in the al-Baladiyat section of Baghdad two days earlier. At the meeting the father of the murdered man – who was killed after the Jaysh al-Mahdi abducted him from the barbershop where he worked – called on Hamas to take a clear stand on the torture and murder to which Palestinians have been subjected in Iraq.

UNHCR condemns attack on Baladiat

UNHCR said "it was alarmed by a militia attack on a Palestinian neighbourhood in Baghdad which left at least nine people dead, including several children, and it appealed to countries to provide a humanitarian solution for Palestinians attempting to flee Iraq. Local militia reportedly shelled the Al Baladiya area for three hours on Wednesday with no attempt by the Iraqi police or multinational forces to halt the attack. The militia also blocked ambulances from taking the dead and wounded to hospital. At least nine people were reportedly killed and many injured during the attack."

"We are very alarmed by this attack and dismayed by the lack of protection given to the Palestinians in Iraq. They have very limited freedom of movement and no possibility to leave the country – unlike Iraqis – to find a safe haven, nor any community to protect them," said Radhouane Nouicer, UNHCR's Geneva-based deputy director for the region. We are urgently appealing to the Iraqi government and the multinational forces to provide protection and safety or an alternative safe location for this targeted group. We also ask the world to stop turning their back and provide a humane solution and safe haven to these people who have no way out," he added.

However, discussions on Thursday with the Iraqi authorities leave little room for optimism that anything can be done to improve protection for this population. The exact fate of those wounded in the attack is not known, as some families were too scared to take injured relations to hospital or remove bodies. Others are too fearful of their own safety to visit some wounded smuggled out in private cars to hospital. Violence against the Palestinian community in Iraq has increased in recent years, but markedly so since the bombing of an important Shia Muslim mosque in Samarra last February. In recent months, Palestinians have been the victims of kidnappings and targeted killings, with an increase in attacks and abductions over the last weeks. Last Saturday, the same Al Baladiya area came under mortar attack, leaving 10 people wounded, while several eminent Palestinians were kidnapped. On earlier occasions, leaflets with death threats were left on doors in Palestinian neighbourhoods of Baghdad, prompting hundreds to flee to the border between Syria and Iraq. Palestinians in Baghdad are extremely fearful for their lives and have expressed their wish to leave as soon as possible. But, with more than 350 Palestinians stuck in inhumane conditions on the border between Iraqi and Syria, there seems to be no way out for other Palestinians trapped in the capital.

UNHCR has repeatedly appealed to the international community and governments to offer refuge for Palestinians. It has appealed to Israel to allow for admission into the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and asked neighbouring Arab states to keep their doors open. UNHCR has also approached resettlement countries, but so far positive responses have only been received by Canada – which has taken 64 Palestinians, stuck in the Jordanian desert for years – and Syria, which took up 287 Palestinians last May, before closing its borders to other desperate Palestinians."