The Secretary-General welcomed the progress made by Iraq’s security forces in retaking areas from ISIL.  He noted that the UN is working to support the Iraqi government in addressing the severe humanitarian needs of civilians in Fallujah.

The Secretary-General expressed concerns over reports of serious human rights abuses against civilians displaced from Fallujah and welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to establish an investigative committee to look into all alleged abuses.

The Secretary-General and Prime Minister al-Abadi also discussed the pressing humanitarian needs in many parts of Iraq. In this regard, the Secretary-General stressed the urgent need to increase funding for the Humanitarian Response Plan for Iraq, which is currently only 33 per cent funded