
Pro-government militiamen were seen looting shops in the centre of the Iraqi city of Tikrit on Wednesday after its recapture from the Islamic State jihadist group in a month-long battle.
The militiamen took items including clothing, shampoo and shaving cream from two shops in central Tikrit before driving away.
Two trucks were also seen leaving Tikrit loaded with new tyres, a generator and a mirror that fell out and shattered on the highway.
While localised, the incidents raise concerns over how the myriad militiamen now in the city will conduct themselves.
As they have in other areas, militiamen also spray painted the names of their groups on houses and shops in the city, including on unbroken windows that had survived the fighting.
Baghdad turned to Shiite militias to bolster its flagging forces after Islamic State group (IS) jihadists led a sweeping offensive that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad last year.
They have played a major role in successful operations against IS, but have also been accused of abuses including summary executions, kidnappings.
Human Rights Watch said this month that both security forces and militias "engaged in deliberate destruction of civilian property" after breaking a months-long siege of the town of Amerli last year.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said during a visit to Baghdad this week that Iraq must "bring volunteer armed groups fighting in support of the government under government control".
"Civilians freed from the brutality of Daesh should not have to then fear their liberators," he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.
GMT 16:06 2018 Thursday ,30 August
Abu Dhabi Police receive over 51,000 calls during Eid Al AdhaGMT 15:59 2018 Thursday ,30 August
46 services go paperless in Abu DhabiGMT 00:15 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
UAE takes leap of faithGMT 20:57 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
UAE civil defence to install fire safety systems in homesGMT 19:27 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Sheikh Mohammed lauds UAE's ranking as most trusted governmentGMT 21:39 2018 Monday ,22 January
UAE to set up independent human rights committeeGMT 21:17 2018 Sunday ,21 January
13 Syrians have died of cold fleeing to LebanonGMT 14:41 2018 Sunday ,21 January
UAE climbs to 32nd place in global passport rankings

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor