2 hours, 2 minutes ago
GENEVA (AFP) - The United Nations refugee agency on Friday expressed concerns over reports Iraqi refugees are returning to the country, particularly from neighbouring Syria, saying there was no large-scale movement.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees "does not believe that the time has come to promote, organise or encourage returns" given the volatile and unpredictable security situation in Iraq, spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told journalists.
"Presently, there is no sign of any large-scale return to Iraq," she added.
More than 1.4 million Iraqis have fled to Syria since the US-led invasion of 2003, but they are coming under increased bureaucratic and financial pressure as the country's social infrastructure struggles with the influx.
more Mortars or rockets also slammed into the Green Zone on Thursday in the biggest attack against the U.S.-protected area in weeks. The U.S. military said nobody was killed but there were unspecified injuries.
moreIraqi and U.S. officials acknowledge that the situation is fragile. There are horror stories such as that told by Soad al Obeidi, 24, whose family returned a few weeks ago to Dora, one of Baghdad's most dangerous neighborhoods.
Last week, her husband's uncles, who'd come home at her father-in-law's urging, were shot dead as they hailed a taxi.
"One week before the incident, people had started to open their shops. But after the shooting, all the shops closed and no one reopened his shop again. They all feel afraid because they knew that the security situation was not improved at all," al Obeidi said. "And my father-in-law feels so guilty."
More here:
Situation Normal in Baghdad
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
