For immediate release: 02.09.2005

Doctors for Iraq press release


Doctors for Iraq has received eyewitness reports from medical staff and residents around the town of Sada on the Iraqi, Syrian border that at least eight civilians have been killed in the latest US/ Iraqi military attack in the west of Iraq.

Doctors and residents report that all of the dead are women and children who were trying to escape the town when the vehicle they were travelling in was targeted by US soldiers. The total civilian casualties figure is unknown as is the number of injured.

Sada has an estimated population of 25,000 people and is 25 kilometres north of Al Qaim. The town received an influx of refugees from Al Qaim when the city was attacked by the US/Iraqi military four weeks ago.

The health situation on the ground in the west of Iraq is at breaking point, as these military attacks continue the medical and humanitarian crisis deepens.

There are thousands of refugee families around Al Qaim who are in need of clean drinking water, food and basic medicines. It is unclear how many new refugees have been created because of this latest military attack on Sada. The town has no medical facilities and there is a shortage of health workers in the area.

Doctors for Iraq estimates that there are 2,500 displaced families in the Al Qaim area following the military attack on the city and is calling for urgent humanitarian/ medical assistance to meet their needs.



For more information contact:

- salam.obaidi@doctorsforiraq.org or press.officer@doctorsforiraq.org