UN alarmed by militant killings in Iraq

The United Nations says it is extremely alarmed by reports of summary executions and extrajudicial killings by militants in Iraq.

On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned reports of summary executions and extra-judicial killings by al-Qaeda-linked militants in various parts of Iraq.

This comes as there have been reports of summary executions of Iraqi soldiers and a large number of civilians by the ISIL militants in Mosul after the northern city was seized by militants.

She also expressed her worries about the deteriorating situation in the militancy-riddled country. Pillay said the number of people killed in summary executions and extrajudicial killings “may run into the hundreds.”

The UN High Commissioner also voiced concern about the displacement of more civilians by Takfiri militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Meanwhile, the UN says the number of Iraq’s refugee population has increased by nearly 800,000 this year, amid a surge of militancy in the Arab country.

The UN refugee agency noted that 300,000 people have fled their homes in Erbil and Dahuk this week alone.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has recently said authorities will arm citizens in Nineveh and other regions to fight militants.

Iraqi men from all walks of life have volunteered to join the army in its fight against the ISIL Takfiri militants.

In the holy city of Karbala, volunteers have gathered outside an army recruitment center to sign up.

People are also registering their names in the holy city of Najaf, the southern city of Basra, and the capital Baghdad. The volunteers say they want to fight the terrorists who have so far seized parts of northern Iraq.