The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that "lawlessness" in Iraq could force a population displacement, and urged coalition troops to restore order and ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to the people in need.
"The UN refugee agency is very concerned about the general lawlessness that is apparent in part of Iraq," the UNHCR said in a statement in Jordan, which is being used by UN aid agencies as a forward base to monitor developments in Iraq.
The UNHCR "fears that growing chaos in Iraq's cities and the precarious humanitarian situation could combine to spark the displacement of civilians", the statement said.
It also warned against possible "revenge attacks among certain parts of the Iraqi society" if the security vacuum in Iraq were to continue.
"We urge the occupying forces to take immediate measures to restore and maintain law and order and to ensure that humanitarian assistance flows to those who need it," the statement said.
"War is still ongoing and the euphoria apparent in some cities can be easily replaced by violence. We're very concerned that people may be displaced at this critical stage," the statement added.
AFP