Northern Iraq: Civilians in the line of fire

The takeover in early June by the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, and other towns and villages in north-western Iraq has resulted in a dramatic resurgence of sectarian tensions and the massive displacement of communities fearing sectarian attacks and reprisals. Amnesty International has also gathered evidence pointing to a pattern of extrajudicial executions of detainees by Iraqi government forces and Shi’a militias. Air strikes launched by Iraqi government forces against ISIS-controlled areas have also killed and injured dozens of civilians, some in indiscriminate attacks.

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