Islamic State executes mayor of village, kidnapped last week, southwest of Kirkuk

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State members have killed a mayor of a village, southwest of Kirkuk, a security source from the province was quoted saying on Monday.

Speaking to Baghdad Today, the source said,”security troops found body of the mayor of al-Therban village in al-Riyad town, southwest of Kirkuk, after being abducted by the militants a week ago.”

The mayor, according to the source, “was kidnapped after his father, who was previously the mayor of the village, was executed two months ago.”

The militants “target the mayors for their cooperation with security services and facilitating the return of displaced people,” the source added.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.

A total of 76 people were killed and 129 others were injured due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflicts during the month of June, casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.