Witnesses are reporting that the Islamic State militants executed 300 civil servants who worked for the Iraqi Supreme Electoral Commission in Mosul. At least fifty were women, and more deaths may have occurred at a separate location. These deaths do not appear to be part of a recently revealed group of victims. In recent days, various officials reported that more than 2,000 people were executed in Mosul over the last six months.
However, the head of the Save Turkmen Institution, Ayi al-Bayati, said that over 700 Turkmen were among those executed in Mosul. About 450 Turkmen, including women and children, are also known to be prisoners of the militants. Bayati wants to the Iraqi government to allow the Turkmen to form their own militias to liberate their cities.
As the war against the Islamic State militants enters its second year in Iraq, tensions between Iran and the United States concerning their regional goals is becoming more apparent.
At least 26 more were killed in recent violence:
A bomb at an outpost near an electrical tower in Saidiya killed a captain and a soldier.
Ten militants were killed in Baiji. On Friday, 14 were killed.
Several militants were killed in Sinjar.
