An Iraqi tribal leader has accused a pro-government Shia militia of killing 50 Sunni prisoners in northern Iraq.

“Around 50 Sunni prisoners were executed by the Hashd al-Shaabi militia inside the Amerli prison” in Saladin province, Thaer al-Bayati told Anadolu Agency Sunday.

He said the executions were in revenge for the killing of a senior police officer in clashes with Daesh militants near Amerli last week.

“The prisoners were shot dead and stabbed by knives inside the prison,” al-Bayati claimed.

Anadolu Agency could not get comments from Iraqi authorities about the accusations against the Hashd al-Shaabi militia to confirm the allegations.

The Shia militia had previously been accused of committing human rights abuses while retaking territory from Daesh militants.

Last month, a video went viral on social media showing a Shia militiaman mistreating civilians fleeing Fallujah, which was overran by the Daesh group in early 2014. The Iraqi army managed to retake the western city from Daesh last week.

Iraqi authorities also said they were investigating reports that 17 civilians had been executed by Shia militiamen during the Fallujah offensive.

Iraq has suffered from a devastating security vacuum since mid-2014, when Daesh overran northern and western parts of the country.

Source: middleeastmonitor.com