ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Twelve convicted "terrorists" in Iraq were executed after orders by the prime minister amid growing frustration over instability and a lack of security.
"Based on directions from the head of the Council of Ministers Dr. Haider al-Abadi, 12 convicted terrorists, whose sentences reached the decisive level, were executed on Thursday," read a tweet from the prime minister's office on Friday morning.
Abadi declared victory over ISIS last December. The terror group no longer holds control of significant territory in the country but remnants and cells remain a serious security problem.
ISIS militants have carried out a string of attacks on villages and civilians, largely in the Hamrin mountains area of Kirkuk and Saladin provinces as well as Diyala in recent months.
Iraq is holding at least 19,000 people accused of ties to ISIS or other terror-related charges, Associated Press reported this spring after an investigation.
Tens of people have been executed this year so far after trials that international monitors have condemned as unfair.
"Based on directions from the head of the Council of Ministers Dr. Haider al-Abadi, 12 convicted terrorists, whose sentences reached the decisive level, were executed on Thursday," read a tweet from the prime minister's office on Friday morning.
Abadi, the commander in chief of all Iraqi security forces who also heads the ministerial council, decreed their executions on Thursday amid mounting public unrest.
"The executions took place at 3 a.m. in the al-Nasiryah prison. One of the executed was an al-Qaeda emir," a source told Baghdad Today.
A handout picture released by the Iraqi Justice Ministry on June 29, 2018 shows blindfolded ISIS members who have been condemned to death waiting for their sentences to be executed. Photo: AFP handout
An adviser to parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri tweeted that for every Iraqi killed by ISIS, two ISIS members will be executed.
“Iraq is overlooking countering operations against Daesh remnants, chased by the special forces, counterterrorism, rapid response, swat and commandos, execution of those Daesh prisoners whose were ratified. At dawn today, the equation began: For every killed citizen, security member or military member, two Daesh get executed,” wrote Hisham al-Hashimi.
He confirmed the executions took place in southern Dhi Qar province.
“The central al-Nasiriyah prison executed 12 terrorists,” added Hashimi.
A handout picture released by the Iraqi Justice Ministry on June 29, 2018 shows the execution by hanging of ISIS members who were on death row. Photo: AFP handout
The government is under pressure from Iraqi citizens who blame the leaders for not taking action against ISIS militants whom they describe as just a few and ineffective compared to the thousands of militants who were defeated by Iraqi forces in Mosul and across the country.
Abadi declared victory over ISIS last December. The terror group no longer holds control of significant territory in the country but remnants and cells remain a serious security problem.
ISIS militants have carried out a string of attacks on villages and civilians, largely in the Hamrin mountains area of Kirkuk and Saladin provinces as well as Diyala in recent months.
Iraq is holding at least 19,000 people accused of ties to ISIS or other terror-related charges, Associated Press reported this spring after an investigation.
Tens of people have been executed this year so far after trials that international monitors have condemned as unfair.
Abadi’s term as prime minister will expire at the end of June, though expectations are his government’s term will be temporarily extended while a manual recount of the May 12 election is conducted and a new government is formed.
Updated at 12:15 p.m.
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