Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants executed 46 people and besieged 500 families in the Iraqi city of Heet, Al Arabiya News Channel’s correspondent to Anbar reported on Wednesday.

The militant group reportedly besieged displaced families residing in the Anbar desert for the past three days as well, amid fears of a mass killing nearing.

Security and tribal sources said ISIS also singled the Abu Nimr clan and executed 35 young men in the area of Ramadi, as well targeting houses and properties of the Al Koud, the family ruling the clan.

Earlier on Wednesday, AFP reported militants had killed 40 members of the clan, which had fought against them in the province of Anbar.

The killings were confirmed by a police colonel and a leader from the anti-jihadist Sahwa forces.

The killings may be aimed at weakening the resistance ISIS faces from local tribes and clans.

Government forces suffered several setbacks during their attempts to battle the militants group in the province in recent weeks, signaling a warning that the large area may fall under ISIS’ control.

While ISIS did not claim responsibility for the killings yet, but Human Rights Watch said there is evidence that the group had executed between 560 and 770 men -- mostly captured soldiers --earlier in the year.

ISIS executed hundreds of members of a Syrian tribe that fought against them, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

ISIS spearheaded an offensive that has overrun much of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland since June, sweeping security forces aside.

Iraqi security forces, Shiite militias and some Sunni tribesmen are fighting to push IS back, but have made only limited local progress so far.

(With AFP)

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:42 - GMT 06:42