DHAKA: Islamic State (IS) insurgents in Iraq have carried out mass executions, abducted women and girls as sex slaves, and used child soldiers in what may amount to systematic war crimes that demand prosecution.

The United Nations said on Thursday, reports The Straits Times.

A report, based on 500 interviews with witnesses, also said Iraqi government air strikes on the Sunni Muslim militants had caused ‘significant civilian deaths’ by hitting villages, a school and hospitals in violation of international law.

At least 9,347 civilians had been killed and 17,386 wounded so far through September, well over half of them since the insurgents also known as ISIL and ISIS began seizing large parts of northern Iraq in early June, the report said.

‘The array of violations and abuses perpetrated by ISIL and associated armed groups is staggering, and many of their acts may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity,’ said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein.

BDST: 1817 HRS, OCT 02, 2014