Kidnappings force more aid agencies out of Iraq

1.00pm

LONDON - A wave of kidnappings of foreigners is forcing many of the handful of remaining aid agencies to pull out of Iraq, as brewing conflict threatens to create a humanitarian crisis, aid workers said on Thursday.

Several big agencies said they were withdrawing staff after the capture last week of an aid worker from a US-based agency in the city of Najaf, where US forces are poised for action against a rebel cleric they have vowed to capture or kill.

"The situation continues to be very, very volatile and I believe that if there are any moves on Najaf then the whole thing is just going to blow completely," said Norman Sheehan, chief executive of relief agency War Child UK.

War Child UK withdrew most of its international staff over the weekend after a string of kidnappings in which at least 55 foreigners from 19 countries were abducted.

Three Japanese hostages were freed on Thursday, but the murders of an Iranian diplomat and an Italian captive were chilling proof of the new risks facing foreigners in Iraq.

Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), long involved in landmine clearance in northern Iraq, said security risks had forced it to suspend its mine-clearance activities in Baghdad and withdraw international staff to Amman.

The British arm of Handicap International said it was suspending its work in Baghdad, and Spanish-based Midicos del Mundo said it had sent its coordinator back to Spain.

"At a time of heightened military action on all sides, the dangers increase for NGOs (non-governmental organisations)," said David Wightwick of Merlin, a British medical aid agency that withdrew its international staff to Amman last week.

"And if we're talking about a complete mismatch of military power, then the side that has less power is going to adopt more unorthodox tactics.

"If that means snatching foreigners on the street then that's what they're going to do, and there's not much we can do about it except keep out of the way."

Agencies say US attempts to quell rising insurgency have created shortages of medical supplies, especially in Falluja, some 50km west of Baghdad, in a region known for its loyalty to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

US Marines launched an offensive to pacify Falluja after four US security contractors were killed and mutilated there on March 31.

Aid agencies say any big offensive against Najaf will lead to shortages of food, water and medical supplies. A ceasefire has been declared in the city until 5pm NZT on April 16.

"There's a massive humanitarian crisis down there at the moment," War Child UK's Sheenan said. "If you've got an estimated 600 killed, how many have been injured? What hospital can cope with that?"

He added: "There's nobody talking about a political solution here. It's boys with toys with their guns, and everybody's upping the ante the whole time."

Aid agencies say relief staff can no longer count on being seen as neutral players in the conflict.

That point was driven home with the deadly bombing of the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad in October and a mounting toll of foreign workers killed in attacks.

"For the established insurgency, whoever they may be, NGOs were not a target," Merlin's Wightwick said.

"But there appear to be a whole new bunch of groups and people setting themselves up as fighters. For them, in the heat of the moment -- and the moment is quite hot -- anyone appears to be a target."

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq