Iraqi prime minister orders investigation into abuses by troops in Mosul

A man speaks on his phone next to destroyed houses in Mosul's Al Zohour area on January 23, 2017. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters

BAGHDAD // Iraq’s prime minister on Monday ordered an investigation into violations of human rights and other abuses allegedly committed by government troops and paramilitary forces battling the ISIL in Mosul.

Haider Al Abadi said the investigation will examine “cases of kidnappings, mistreatment and violations” against civilians. He blamed such incidents on “groups that exploit the good name” of Iraqi soldiers and Shiite and Sunni paramilitaries.

The abuses were recorded and then posted on social media to “spoil the joy of victory and to defame the real image of the brave security forces and their sacrifices to liberate the land and to maintain security”, he said.

News of the investigation came days after the United Nations demanded a government investigation into a video purportedly showing brutal treatment and killing of at least three ISIL suspects in a newly-taken area of eastern Mosul.

The nearly three-minute video showed members of the security forces in regular army and police uniforms dragging and beating the suspects in a residential area before showering them with bullets as at least two army Humvees, a tank and a personnel carrier were stationed nearby.

* Associated Press