Iraqis are double targets in Syria, says parliamentary committee
21/07/2012 17:39ERBIL, July 21 (AKnews) - The foreign relations committee in the the Iraqi Council of Representatives stated Saturday that the situation of Iraqis living in Syria is "difficult" and noted that they are "double targeted" because of the positions of some political parties about the Syrian crisis.
The Iraqi government recently called all Iraqis living in Syria to return. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said yesterday that he will forgive the opposition not accused of murder.
Iraq has allocated tens of buses to transport Iraqi citizens across the border.
Syria is witnessing violence and reached the center of the capital Damascus after the outbreak of an armed uprising against the regime.
Member of the foreign relations committee in the Iraqi Council of Representatives Safiya al-Suhail said in a statement: "The Iraqis are living in difficult psychological and security conditions with the escalation of violence in Syria.
"There is doubled targeting for the Iraqis in Syria due to the positions of some political parties. Unfortunately the people living in Syria are paying the price."
Suhail pointed out to the existence of information that confirms the arrival of Iraqis to camps on the Syrian - Turkish border to escape violence.
Two Iraqi journalists were killed recently in Syria and Iraq also received the bodies of about 20 Iraqis who were killed there at the middle of this month, according to press reports.
Iraqi authorities appealed the United Nations to "intervene urgently and in cooperation with the Syrian authorities to protect the Iraqis and facilitate their return to the country".
By Murtada al-Yusuf
RN/DM/AKnews
