Doctors for Iraq / Baghdad – 2008-04-21 00:28:45

http:://www.doctorsforiraq.org

BAGHDAD (April 14, 2008) — Doctors for Iraq has received reports from the Imam Ali hospital in Sadar City, Baghdad, of dozens of civilian casualties following US military air strikes on the densely populated neighbourhood east of Baghdad. Sadar City has an estimated population of 2 million people and is one of the poorest slums in the city.

According to doctors 30 people were killed in the attacks and dozens more injured in ongoing fighting between the Iraqi and US military and the Mehdi army militia. A US missile attack on the area lead to the death of 13 civilians according to medical sources in the hospital. Doctors say 13 bodies were brought to the hospital including a number of children. Eyewitnesses in Sadar City report that the US military launched two attacks on the area on April 12th following intense fighting.

The director of the Imam Ali hospital Dr Al Mdallal, told Doctors for Iraq that the hospital was in short supply of fuel to power generators and lacking basic medical supplies such as bandages, surgical cotton, yarn and other materials that are used in surgery. Doctors and patients are finding it hard to reach the hospital due to ongoing curfews and the lack of security in the area reported Dr Al Mdallal. He added that Ambulances came under fire during the height of the fighting by the Iraqi Police forces.

For the past ten days Sadar City has seen an increase in military presence as the number of checkpoints leading to the city has increased. The humanitarian situation has intensified due to the restriction of mobility. Residents report that food is running out as is petrol and fuel to power electricity generators.

Doctors for Iraq is calling for an independent investigations into the death of civilians caused by indiscriminate military attacks in the densely populated civilian area. Doctors for Iraq is calling for the immediate lifting of the military siege on the neighbourhood so medical and humanitarian aid can be delivered to the area.

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