IS conflict: Falluja detainees 'tortured by Shia militias'

Video purportedly of the released detainees showed a number of men receiving treatment

The Iraqi government has been urged to investigate allegations that civilians detained during the battle for Falluja have been tortured by Shia militiamen. 

An Anbar provincial council member told the BBC that hundreds were held as government forces fought Islamic State militants in the suburb of Saqlawiya.

Those released showed signs of severe torture, Sheikh Raja al-Issawi said. Four people died as a result of their injuries and others were in a critical condition in hospital, he added.


Shia militias have been accused of committing serious abuses against Sunni civilians while helping the Iraqi government regain territory it lost to so-called Islamic State (IS) in 2014.

The militias have denied the accusations, but the government has said they will be held back from the final assault on Falluja, a predominantly Sunni city, amid fears of sectarian reprisals.