A top figure in Islamic State’s self-declared police force, which has carried out beheadings, was himself found decapitated in eastern Syria, a monitoring group said.

Iraqi Security forces have stormed a police station taken over by gunmen, leaving three hostages dead.

Rebels have broken into a police station in western Iraq and are holding a number of officers hostage, officials said today.

Five Iraqis have been killed and 14 others injured in bombings and shootings in the capital, Baghdad, and a western town today, including an attack near cafes and ice cream shops, officials said today.