Islamic State kills Imam of mosque in western Mosul
A local source in Mosul has said that Islamic State militants killed the imam of a mosque located in the western side of the city.
IS militants shot dead the Imam of a mosque in Hawi al-Kanisah region in front of the residents after he refused to approve a death sentence against people who refused to take part in terrorist operations against the security troops deployed there, the source told Alsumaria News on Monday.
The source added that the Imam refused to issue the death sentence and shoot them as such sentences should be issued by a judge and carried out by authorities in question.
After losing most of the lands that were under its control in Mosul, IS resorts to this step to intimidate people to urge them carry out terrorist operations.
IS has executed hundreds of civilians and security members since it took over large areas in Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate.
Iraqi troops launched military operations to drive IS militants out of western Mosul, Islamic States strongest stronghold in Iraq.
Eastern Mosul was recaptured from IS in January, after a US-backed offensive was launched in October. A new offensive started in February to retake the west.
Retaking Mosul could ruin the Islamic Caliphate, which was declared in 2014 when the group occupied several parts of the country.
Source: /Iraqi News
