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Execution of Dutch fighters by IS not confirmed by Dutch authorities

Xinhua, March 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Dutch government said on Tuesday that it knows about the reports that eight Dutch fighters had been executed by the Islamic State (IS) in the Syrian city of Ma'dan but was not able to confirm yet.

The reported killings fit into the image of IS outlined by the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) mid-January in its report "Life at ISIS, unravelling the myth", said Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) Dick Schoof. According to the report, IS is showing increasing totalitarian traits and it is almost impossible to leave IS controlled territory.

Activists of "Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS)", a group of citizen journalists operating in the north of Syria, said on its twitter on Monday that eight Dutch fighters were killed after a clash with the security of the caliphate. The news of the execution has not been confirmed by other sources.

According to RBSS reports, the execution happened after tension between a group of 75 Dutch fighters and IS intelligence operatives from Iraq had been rising over the past month. Three Dutch nationals considered by IS security as instigators for others to escape were arrested earlier on. One of them was beaten so severely that he died. In revenge, an IS negotiator was then killed by the group of Dutch fighters, which led to senior IS officials in Iraq ordering the arrest of the entire Dutch brigade and the execution of eight of them, accused of incitement against IS.

There are around 150 Dutch fighters in Syria. Among the detained group of 75 Dutch fighters are Dutch with Moroccan roots and Dutch from other origins, according to NCTV. Enditem