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Islamic State mass killings of Iraqi tribe total 322 | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Mass killings by Islamic State militants have seen 322 members of an Iraqi Sunni tribe killed in western Anbar province, Iraq's government says. | |
The country's ministry of human rights said more than 50 bodies were found in a water well, whilst 65 members of the Al-Bu Nimr tribe have been kidnapped. | |
The group's latest attack came on Sunday when militants publically shot and killed at least 50 of the tribe. | |
IS militants - also Sunnis - control large areas of Iraq and Syria. | IS militants - also Sunnis - control large areas of Iraq and Syria. |
The ministry said IS is holding the 65 hostages as prisoners of war. The jihadist group also stole livestock from the tribe, it said. | |
Sunday's victims, who included children, were reportedly lined up and shot as punishment for what IS sees at the tribe's resistance. | |
A number of people from the Al-Bu Nimr tribe were also found dead in mass graves earlier this week. Fifty others were killed on Saturday. | A number of people from the Al-Bu Nimr tribe were also found dead in mass graves earlier this week. Fifty others were killed on Saturday. |
The BBC's Orla Guerin, in Baghdad, says Sunday's mass killing is a stark warning to others about the price they may pay for resisting IS. | The BBC's Orla Guerin, in Baghdad, says Sunday's mass killing is a stark warning to others about the price they may pay for resisting IS. |
Tribal resistance | |
The latest shootings occurred in the village of Ras al-Maa, north of the provincial capital Ramadi. | The latest shootings occurred in the village of Ras al-Maa, north of the provincial capital Ramadi. |
A local official told the Associated Press news agency that many members of the tribe fled there from near the town of Hit, which was captured by IS last month. | A local official told the Associated Press news agency that many members of the tribe fled there from near the town of Hit, which was captured by IS last month. |
The Al-Bu Nimr tribe had joined the Iraq government campaign against IS in Anbar, much of which is now under jihadist control. | The Al-Bu Nimr tribe had joined the Iraq government campaign against IS in Anbar, much of which is now under jihadist control. |
The recently-formed and Shia-dominated Iraqi government is trying to win over Sunni tribes, which it sees as a key element in the fight against IS. | The recently-formed and Shia-dominated Iraqi government is trying to win over Sunni tribes, which it sees as a key element in the fight against IS. |
But Baghdad has not yet succeeded in persuading the bulk of the tribes to turn on IS. | But Baghdad has not yet succeeded in persuading the bulk of the tribes to turn on IS. |
The Associated Press reports that just 5,000 of an estimated 30-40,000-strong tribal population are backing the Baghdad government. | The Associated Press reports that just 5,000 of an estimated 30-40,000-strong tribal population are backing the Baghdad government. |
The tribes want guarantees that they will be given a serious degree of devolution for their areas and a real say in national decision-making, correspondents say. | The tribes want guarantees that they will be given a serious degree of devolution for their areas and a real say in national decision-making, correspondents say. |