ISIS Kills Scores of Its Own Troops Fleeing Mosul; IS Leader Told Troops Not to Retreat in Total War

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militant group is executing its own fighters by the dozen as they attempt to flee from the city of Mosul in the face of an offensive by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces, the IB (International Business) Times website reports today (November 5, 2016).

The UN's Human Rights Agency said some 50 IS fighters -- accused of desertion -- were killed at the Ghazlani military base in Mosul.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of IS, said in a speech to residents of Mosul on November 3 that there could be no retreat in a "total war." Reports have emerged that IS troops are disguising themselves as refugees to leave Mosul without being shot.

The UN also reported today that hundreds of women were being used as human shields by IS troops fighting the approaching Iraqi forces.