Iraqi units probed for IS-style revenge beheadings

‘Dirty brigades’ said to execute, torture prisoners and civilians suspected of sympathizing with brutal terror group

Several units in the Iraqi military were under investigation for some of the same atrocities carried out by the jihadist terror group the Islamic State, including beheadings, shootings and launching persons from high structures.

According to US and Iraqi officials who spoke to ABC News, some US-trained units have been cut off from all American assistance for suspected human rights violations, in what is known as the Leahy Law, which required the government to cut off funds to foreign militaries when there is strong suspicion and credible evidence of violations.

“We have withheld assistance from certain Iraqi units on the basis of credible information in the past. Due to the sensitive nature of our security assistance, we are unable to discuss specific units,” a Joint Staff official told the channel.

A trove of gruesome photos and videos in which uniformed Iraqi military personnel and Shiite militia members can be seen either taking part in or standing next to prisoners or civilians being tortured or killed came to the attention of officials sometime this year, prompting the Iraqi government to launch an investigation. Some of those killed, according to the report, were captured IS members. In some photos, personnel can be seen displaying severed heads.

Screenshot from an ABC report March 13, 2015 on human rights abuses of prisoners and civilians by the Iraqi army.

“As the ISF [Iraqi Security Forces] and militias reclaim territory, their behavior must be above reproach or they risk being painted with the same brush as ISIL [ISIS] fighters,” the US government said in a statement to ABC. “If these allegations are confirmed, those found responsible must be held accountable.”

These rogue Iraqi units are referred to as the “dirty brigades,” according to the report.

Screenshot from an ABC report March 13, 2015 on human rights violations by some Iraqi army units and Shiite militias.

In visual displays online, members of these units and allied militias engage in a number of brutal acts including appearing to throw a bound and blindfolded man from what looks like a military guard tower, shooting dead prisoners and civilians suspected of either being IS members or sympathizing with them, and holding up or stepping on severed heads.

Iraq is a key member of the US-led anti-IS coalition. The US has stepped up aid and training to combat the jihadist group.