BAGHDAD — Iraqi prime minister Haider Al-Abadi says the military will begin arresting and prosecuting anyone who loots abandoned properties in the newly-recaptured city of Tikrit. Saddam Hussein's hometown was recaptured by Iraqi forces Wednesday, ending a nearly 10-month occupation by Daesh (the so-called Islamic State) militant group. Most of the city's homes remain abandoned and cases of looting from homes and businesses were reported within hours of the military victory. In a statement Friday, Al-Abadi said security forces must ensure that normalcy is restored quickly so that the city's residents can return to their homes. Abadi said enforcement of the law was essential in order to “bring life back to the province as well as returning families” to the city, the capital of Salahuddin province, which was seized by Daesh last June. Sunni lawmakers have complained of looting of homes and government buildings in Tikrit by rogue security force elements and members of the Shiite paramilitary groups. Rafid Jaboori, a spokesman for the prime minister, would not comment on specific incidents, but said Abadi had a policy of zero tolerance for any rights abuses. — Agencies
