Thu Nov 10, 2016 21:42:22
As Iraqi forces slow their push to retake the militant-held city of Mosul, the country’s security forces are consolidating gains in recently liberated territory.
In Qayara, a small town along the Tigris river valley retaken from ISIS months ago, local forces on Thursday were still struggling to extinguish massive oil well fire in addition to screening civilians who had fled Islamic State group rule.
Qayara, which is 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Mosul, fell to the Islamic State (ISIS / Daesh / ISIL) in June 2014, but was liberated in August.
Local security officials say efforts to restore services and security to liberated towns like Qayara are just as important as the fight against the militant group on the front lines.
On Thursday, Amnesty International said it visited villages near the Shura and Qayara areas, where it says up to six people were "extra judicially executed" in late October over suspected ties to ISIS.
S/SH 11
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