42 civilians executed over refusal to join IS in Mosul
ISIS elements during the implementation of an execution operation . Archival photo.
“The militants in Mosul are looking for women to get them involved in the so-called jihadul Nikah [sexual jihad],” the source said. “IS kills whoever refuses to join.”
“IS executed 42 men who refused to join the group in Mosul,” the source added.
Earlier on Saturday, IS was reported to have killed 15 civilians in western Mosul for refusing to allow the group’s snipers to position or erect rocket launchers above their residences.
IS executed hundreds of civilians and security members since it took over large areas in Iraq to proclaim a self-styled “Islamic Caliphate” in 2014.
IS has been losing ground and personnel since Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S-led coalition and paramilitary troops, launched an offensive in October 2016 to recapture Mosul, the second-largest Iraqi city and the militants’ last urban stronghold in the country. The U.S.-led coalition had estimated the number of remaining IS militants in Mosul by less than 1000.
Eastern Mosul was retaken in January after three months of fighting. A new offensive was launched in February to retake the west.
Over four million persons were displaced inside the country since emergence of IS in 2014.
Iraqi troops currently control 4000 kilometers of the city, the U.S. State Department tweeted on Friday.