** Dahr Jamail's Iraq Dispatches **

The following is the latest press release from the 'Doctors for Iraq
Society' regarding the most recent US offensive near the Syrian border.
For those of you in the US reading this, please keep this in mind when
viewing the catastrophe in New Orleans. -DJ

HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS ARE FORCED TO FLEE AS US/IRAQI FORCES ATTACK
TALLAFA, NORTH-WESTERN IRAQ. DOCTORS FOR IRAQ WARNS OF MEDICAL
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

Doctors for Iraq is deeply concerned at the fate of hundreds of
civilians trying to flee the sieged town of Tallafa, 80 km from Mousel
City. Thousands of residents from the town have been told to leave the
area by US/ Iraqi forces who have been attacking the area for the past
three- four days.

Eyewitnesses report that heavy bombs were dropped on targets in the town
a few days ago and on Monday 5^th September the US army has been firing
missiles onto the town from aircraft. The entire town in under siege and
is in preparation for a new military attack. .

^Doctors for Iraq has received reports that at least twenty civilian
have been killed in the attack. It is impossible to check these reports
for accuracy.

^US / IRAQI forces have forced frightened civilians to leave the sieged
town and and women and children are making their way to a refugee camp
set up outside the Tallafa.

^Civilians have told Doctors for Iraq that many young men aged between
20- 35 are being stopped and detained at checkpoints and are being taken
to a US military building near an airport.

^It is not known how many men have been detained and why they are being
held. It is impossible for Doctors For Iraq to check this reports as
media and health workers are being prevented form entering the area.

^What is know is that during the military siege of Falluja in 2004 young
men were also prevented from leaving the city and were detained by US/
Iraqi military.

^Doctors inside the town are concerned about the lack of medicine and
health care facilities for people who are being forced to flee their homes.

^Tallafa's medical infrastructure has been badly damaged by the ongoing
military attacks on the area over the past few weeks. Doctors and
medical convoys are unable to enter the sieged town and assist the
desperate civilians.

^Doctors for Iraq is particularly concerned about the fate of the
refugees. There is concern about the lack of clean drinking water for
displaced civilians and the threat of disease is very real as hygiene
conditions in the area are very poor.

^*

Ends

Doctors for Iraq is calling for :

*

^A complete and immediate *END *to the military attack on the town so
all civilians can be evacuated safely

^For the US/ IRAQI military to uphold the Geneva Convention and allow
doctors and medical supplies into the town.

^For international human rights organisations to carry out an immediate
investigation into allegations that young men are being detained by the
military and reports of civilian deaths during the attack.

^For more information contact:

^Dr. Salam Ismael ^_salam.obaidi@doctorsforiraq.org_ : Aisha Ismael
_^press.officer@doctorsforiraq.org _