Armed groups in Iraq that oppose the US-led coalition and Iraqi government are committing war crimes by deliberately killing civilians, taking hostages and torturing and slaying defenseless prisoners, human-rights group Amnesty International said.
In a report released last week, Amnesty said it recognized that many Iraqis opposed the presence of US-led troops, who it said had also committed grave human-rights violations.
But the London-based organization denounced the Iraqi armed groups for a "failure to abide by even the most basic standards of humanitarian law."
"There is no honor nor heroism in blowing up people going to pray or murdering a terrified hostage. Those carrying out such acts are criminals, nothing less, whose actions undermine any claim they may have to be pursuing a legitimate cause," Amnesty said.
The Amnesty International report -- "In Cold Blood: Abuses by Armed Groups" -- said the fighters were guilty of direct attacks intended to cause the greatest possible loss of civilian life, indiscriminate attacks resulting in the deaths of civilians, targeting humanitarian organizations, abductions and killing captured and defenseless police and military personnel.
The report said it was impossible to calculate how many civilians had died in Iraq as a result of these attacks.
"We urge armed groups to immediately cease all attacks against civilians and all other abuses," Amnesty International said. "Armed groups, like other parties to the conflict in Iraq, are required to comply strictly with international law in all their acts and remain accountable for their actions."
The Amnesty report also said US forces had committed "gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law."
"They have not taken necessary precautions to minimize risk to civilians. They have used cluster weapons in bombing residential areas, which have resulted in the deaths of many civilians," the report said.
It said US-led forces had also used excessive force in response to demonstrations and gatherings, resulting in civilian casualties, and had tortured and ill-treated detainees.
Responding to the findings, US military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Steven Boylan said the military took risks associated with combat operations very seriously.
"Prior to all of our operations, we take that risk into account with detailed planning to reduce the potential of damage to the civilian communities. Any allegations of improper use of force or procedures are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly," Boylan said.
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