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Iraq conflict: Images purport to show 'massacre' by militants Iraq conflict: Images purport to show 'massacre' by militants
(35 minutes later)
The Sunni extremist group that has taken territory across Iraq has posted photos online that appear to show its fighters massacring Iraqi soldiers.The Sunni extremist group that has taken territory across Iraq has posted photos online that appear to show its fighters massacring Iraqi soldiers.
The army personnel are pictured being led away and then lying in trenches before and after their "execution".The army personnel are pictured being led away and then lying in trenches before and after their "execution".
Iraqi military spokesman Lt Gen Qassim al-Moussawi said the pictures were authentic and depicted events in Salahuddin province.Iraqi military spokesman Lt Gen Qassim al-Moussawi said the pictures were authentic and depicted events in Salahuddin province.
But the images' authenticity has not been independently confirmed.But the images' authenticity has not been independently confirmed.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in northern Iraq, says if the photographs are genuine, it would be by far the biggest single atrocity since the time of the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.The BBC's Jim Muir, in northern Iraq, says if the photographs are genuine, it would be by far the biggest single atrocity since the time of the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Their emergence came as the Iraqi government claimed to have "regained the initiative" against the offensive by Sunni rebels led by ISIS - the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.Their emergence came as the Iraqi government claimed to have "regained the initiative" against the offensive by Sunni rebels led by ISIS - the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Extremists captured key cities, including Mosul and Tikrit, last week, but several towns have now been retaken from the rebels.Extremists captured key cities, including Mosul and Tikrit, last week, but several towns have now been retaken from the rebels.
'Taken to their deaths''Taken to their deaths'
The pictures, apparently posted by ISIS, are said to show what happened to soldiers after the group took over an army base in Tikrit following the surrender of the garrison there.The pictures, apparently posted by ISIS, are said to show what happened to soldiers after the group took over an army base in Tikrit following the surrender of the garrison there.
Video footage, apparently filmed earlier, shows many hundreds of men being marched off from near the Speicher base, with the voice on tape saying they were soldiers who had surrendered at the facility.Video footage, apparently filmed earlier, shows many hundreds of men being marched off from near the Speicher base, with the voice on tape saying they were soldiers who had surrendered at the facility.
Still photographs show large numbers of young men being transported away in trucks.Still photographs show large numbers of young men being transported away in trucks.
Captions on the photographs, which again appeared to have been issued by ISIS, said they were being taken away to their deaths.Captions on the photographs, which again appeared to have been issued by ISIS, said they were being taken away to their deaths.
What appear to be black-clad ISIS fighters are seen firing on their captives in some images. What appear to be ISIS fighters are seen firing on their captives in some images.
Sources in the rebel movement, who do not belong to ISIS, told the BBC they believed as many as 1,000 personnel from the Speicher base had been executed.Sources in the rebel movement, who do not belong to ISIS, told the BBC they believed as many as 1,000 personnel from the Speicher base had been executed.
They said the ISIS fighters had divided them into regular army conscripts, who were set free, and volunteers from Shia militias or from the government's elite Golden Brigade, who were condemned to die.They said the ISIS fighters had divided them into regular army conscripts, who were set free, and volunteers from Shia militias or from the government's elite Golden Brigade, who were condemned to die.
FightbackFightback
Earlier, Iraqi army spokesman Lt Gen Qasim Ata, said the military had scored successes against the militants in several areas, killing 279 of them. The figure could not be independently verified.Earlier, Iraqi army spokesman Lt Gen Qasim Ata, said the military had scored successes against the militants in several areas, killing 279 of them. The figure could not be independently verified.
In continued fighting, there were reports of heavy clashes round the city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, with mortar shelling of some districts. In continued fighting, there were reports of heavy clashes round the city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, with mortar shelling of some districts as militants tried to enter the city.
In the town, inhabited mainly by Sunni and Shia Turkmens, residents told the BBC that troops clashed with militants trying to enter the city. Government forces were reported to be building up in the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, ready for a counter-offensive on Tikrit.
Government forces were reported to be building up in the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, ready for a counter-offensive on Tikrit - the hometown of Iraq's former President Saddam Hussein, who was toppled by the US invasion in 2003.
In other developments:In other developments:
Iraq's most senior Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has issued a call to arms to fellow Shia, and there are reports that thousands have already joined militias.
At the scene: John Simpson, BBC News, BaghdadAt the scene: John Simpson, BBC News, Baghdad
On my way into the BBC office [on Sunday] I bumped into a government minister who I know and he told me that there was a real state of panic here a few days ago. Thursday in particular, he said, nobody knew what to say; they could scarcely speak to each other, they were so nervous.On my way into the BBC office [on Sunday] I bumped into a government minister who I know and he told me that there was a real state of panic here a few days ago. Thursday in particular, he said, nobody knew what to say; they could scarcely speak to each other, they were so nervous.
But since then, the idea that Shia fighters, Shia volunteers should come forward and back the army up has restored a certain amount of balance. He said that the government feels a lot more settled at the moment.But since then, the idea that Shia fighters, Shia volunteers should come forward and back the army up has restored a certain amount of balance. He said that the government feels a lot more settled at the moment.
Of course you could say that's a problem for the future of this country, if one religious group is setting out to fight another one - and that blatantly. But that is something else, something for the future. For the moment it seems that there is a bit of a sense that things are settling down.Of course you could say that's a problem for the future of this country, if one religious group is setting out to fight another one - and that blatantly. But that is something else, something for the future. For the moment it seems that there is a bit of a sense that things are settling down.
Reporters' round-upReporters' round-up
Blair: 'We didn't cause Iraq crisis'Blair: 'We didn't cause Iraq crisis'
Struggle for Iraq: In mapsStruggle for Iraq: In maps
Is this the end of Iraq?Is this the end of Iraq?
The USS George HW Bush, which carries dozens of fighter jets, is heading for the Gulf, accompanied by two more warships. Amid continuing concern in Washington, the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier, headed for the Gulf, accompanied by two more warships. But the US says no US troops will be deployed on the ground in Iraq.
But the US says no US troops will be deployed on the ground in Iraq and Secretary of State John Kerry has repeated American demands for Iraqi leaders to put aside their differences. Neighbouring Iran has offered direct assistance to Baghdad, but denies sending troops. However, there are reports of more than 130 Revolutionary Guards on hand to provide training and advice.
Correspondents say Washington is frustrated with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his Shia-led government for ignoring the concerns of Sunnis and Kurds.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday he had offered direct assistance to Baghdad, but denied that he had sent troops to fight in Iraq.
However, BBC Persian's regional analyst Kasra Naji has been told that more than 130 of Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrived to provide training and advice.
Iran has said it could be prepared to work with the US, despite the bitter enmity between the two countries, to fight Sunni insurgents.
Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted that the 2003 Anglo-US invasion of Iraq is not to blame for the violent insurgency now gripping the country.Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted that the 2003 Anglo-US invasion of Iraq is not to blame for the violent insurgency now gripping the country.
Speaking to the BBC, he said there would still be a "major problem" in the country even without the ousting of Saddam Hussein.Speaking to the BBC, he said there would still be a "major problem" in the country even without the ousting of Saddam Hussein.
ISIS in IraqISIS in Iraq
Are you in Saadiya, Jalawla or Baghdad? Have you been affected by the latest developments? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the title 'Iraq'.Are you in Saadiya, Jalawla or Baghdad? Have you been affected by the latest developments? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the title 'Iraq'.