Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Saturday he had ordered government forces to halt shelling of residential areas controlled by the Islamic State extremist group to protect civilians.
“Two days ago, I gave my orders to stop bombardment of all towns inhabited by civilians even if they have Daesh,” Mr. al-Abadi said, using an Arabic acronym for the Sunni group.
“We don’t want to see more innocent victims,” he told a conference in Baghdad, according to Alsumaria News .
His remarks came after reports that many civilians have been killed and wounded in government attacks on areas held by Islamic State.
