Isis in Iraq: Islamic State executes 70 Sunni members of Al Bu Nimr tribe

The Islamic State (Isis) has executed by gunshot 70 members of the Iraqi Al Bu Nimr tribe, in the latest in a series of atrocities committed against the Sunni group. An Al Bu Nimr tribal elder in western Iraq said the individuals were murdered in Anbar Province, on Sunday night (4 October). Sheikh Naeem al-Gaoud told the BBC that the executions had taken place in the province's village of Khanizir.

Almost one year ago to the day, IS murdered hundreds of the tribesman in a display of violent propaganda. The tribe vowed to fight on against IS as it did against al-Qaeda alongside the US in its offensive against the Iraqi insurgency from 2006.

The Al Bu Nimr tribe fled to Khanizir after IS overran Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, in May. In November of 2014 mass graves were uncovered containing between 80 and 220 bodies, many from the Al Bu Nimr tribe.

There are believed to be roughly half a million members of the powerful Al Bu Nimr clan, which has openly defied IS. The repeat of the vicious executions is a stark message by IS to other Sunni tribes. The militant group, which has drawn on a well of Sunni discontent, is predominantly engaged in fighting against the Iraqi government's Shia forces.