AMMAN, Jordan, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross Thursday demanded safe passage for its medical teams and ambulances to enter the embattled Iraqi city of Fallujah.
ICRC spokesman Moein Kassis said in Amman the organization has had no medical teams in Fallujah since the beginning of military operations more than 10 days ago and as such "we have no clear picture of what is going on inside the city."
He said the antagonists have the duty to provide immediate medical assistance for the wounded.
"Under the rules of international human rights law the killing of the wounded or the people who surrender is banned and forbidden," Kassis said, adding that the ICRC was deeply worried about acts committed by U.S. soldiers in Fallujah such as executing injured Iraqi insurgents.
Kassis said the ICRC distributed urgent humanitarian assistance, including food and blankets, to refugees who had fled Fallujah to nearby makeshift camps.
He said the organization is in contact with all parties, including the Iraqi government and the U.S.-led multinational forces, to secure safe passage.
