U.N. accuses Islamic State of executions, rape, child abuse in Iraq

[Jefferson23]

By Maggie Fick

BAGHDAD Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:10am EDT

(Reuters) - The United Nations accused Islamic State fighters in Iraq of executing religious and other leaders as well as teachers and health workers, forcibly recruiting children and raping women among acts that amounted to war crimes.

A UN report focused on a range of violations committed against civilians, particularly by the Islamic State, though it also said Iraqi forces and allied fighters had not taken precautions to protect civilians from violence.

&quot This)...may also amount to war crimes," the report found.

At least 5,576 Iraqi civilians have been killed this year in violence, the U.N. said in the most detailed account yet of the impact of months of unrest culminating in advances by Sunni militants led by the al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State, formerly known as ISIL, across the north.

"ISIL and associated armed groups have also continued to... perpetrate targeted assassinations (community, political, and religious leaders, government employees, education professionals, health workers, etc.), sexual assault, rape and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls, forced recruitment of children, kidnappings, executions, robberies."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/18/us-iraq-security-civilians-idUSKBN0FN0T720140718

[clarice]

1. Jefferson.....why do these type of posts elicit NO response from the DU community? It's

always amazed me. It's like no one is interested, or there is some type of "gag order" in place
that I'm unfamiliar with. Just curious.

[Jefferson23]

2. No, I don't think it is anything like that, clarice. I do imagine that the collective opinion is

repulsed at the fact that Iraq is a disaster due to what GW set out to do. There is no
quick fix...for obvious reasons Obama can't fix the disaster that was created there.
He, I feel, was left with the U.S.' greatest 21st century stain..no win situation.
He has my deepest sympathies on this mess.

Most members here may be worn out from seeing the never ending train wreck that
is Iraq..that may explain the lack of response.

[samsingh]

3. it's because we are shocked and helpless at the same time

[Jefferson23]

4. Yes, I think so too. n/t