Islamic State killing civilians as they flee Fallujah

Islamic State (IS) has been shooting at civilians as they try to flee the fighting between Iraqi government forces and IS militants in the city of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, an international aid organisation has said.

On Sunday, the militants shot and killed seven civilians and seven IS defectors inside Fallujah as they attempted to flee, Iraqi major Ali Hanoon said.

Maj Hanoon, who is with the elite Iraqi counterterrorism forces, yesterday put the number of civilians killed by IS since the operation started at “dozens” but declined to be more specific. Iraqi officials say the total is likely higher.