homeWorld

ISIS displays bodies of dead Iraqi soldiers around Mosul

Iraqi soldiers pose with the Islamic State flag along a street of the town of al-Shura, which was recaptured from Islamic State (IS), south of Mosul, Iraq last Oct. 30.  | REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo

The bodies of Iraqi soldiers killed by ISIS are being paraded around Mosul by the terror group to scare the residents who might attempt to flee the city.

The website Heavy has published several photos of the militants showing the dead bodies to young boys and other residents of the city. The photos, which were released on the terror group's channels on Nov. 23, had the caption that read: "Corpses of the Rafidi Army's Soldiers in #Mosul City."

"Rafidi," meaning "rejectors," is a derogatory term used by Sunnis against Shia Muslims who believe in a different line of succession in the leadership of Islam after the death of its founder Muhammad. ISIS uses the term to refer to the Iraqi government as well as the whole country of Iran, according to the report from Heavy.

Reuters reported two weeks ago that ISIS had displayed five crucified bodies at a road junction to send a message to its residents that it is still in control of the city. The terror group killed at least 20 people who were suspected of being informants. Witnesses said that some of the bodies were hanging from electric poles and traffic signals.

It was revealed earlier this month that the jihadist group is committing mass murder of former police officers. At least 300 dead bodies of former police officers were found by Iraqi forces in a mass grave near Mosul. Several witnesses have said that the executions took place at the end of October.

"This is another piece of evidence of the horrific mass murder by ISIS of former law enforcement officers in and around Mosul," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

"ISIS should be held accountable for these crimes against humanity," he added.

Meanwhile, Iraqi forces have announced that they are now in control of a large part of eastern Mosul.

Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, the commander of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service, said: "Mosul is divided into two parts, the west and the east. The liberation plan of the city is to encircle the two sides, but now forces are advancing on the eastern side and we are controlling the larger part of it. We are also moving towards the western side to liberate it."

Nongovernment organizations are urging the army to create humanitarian corridors allow some of the residents to escape the city. According to the U.N., over 70,000 residents have been displaced from Mosul since the operation to liberate the city began on Oct. 17.