article_snippet: Rights group Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged government forces to protect civilians from revenge attacks by pro-government militias as civilians fight to retake Tikrit.
article_snippet: Rights group Human Rights Watch said Rights group Human Rights Watch had documented "numerous atrocities against Sunni civilians by pro-government militias and security forces" after Sunni civilians recaptured other towns.
article_snippet: Human Rights Watch also warned that ISIS could seek to use civilians as human shields.
article_snippet: All commanders in Tikrit need to make sure that All commanders in Tikrit forces protect civilians and allow civilians to flee the combat zone," said Joe Stork, Rights group Human Rights Watch's deputy Middle East and North Africa director.