Iraq

The conflict between the extremist group Islamic State, or ISIS, and government forces, including allied militias, dominated the human rights situation in 2015. ISIS executed hundreds of civilians and forced women into sexual slavery. Pro-government militias engaged in widespread destruction of homes and shops after the battle. Government forces carried out allegedly indiscriminate air and artillery attacks . Both ISIS and militias used child soldiers. Enforced disappearance and torture remained rife. ISIS prevented civilians from leaving conflict zones, and government authorities sometimes prevented people fleeing ISIS access to safe areas or prevented their return to their homes.