As the fighting intensifies around Tikrit, Daesh militants have beheaded four men they claim to be recruiters for pro-government militia in northern Iraq, AFP reports.
Undated photos have appeared online which show the captured men kneeling with Daesh militants standing behind them, followed by images of their beheading. Daesh claim the beheadings were carried out in Salahuddin, the scene of ongoing clashes between Daesh and Iraqi troops backed by militia. It is unclear where the photos were taken, and authenticity of the images could not be confirmed.
According to AFP, Iraq's defense ministry claims that 30 Daesh fighters have been killed in clashes in Salahuddin and Anbar provinces.
Last year, Daesh began their campaign to capture large areas north and west of Baghdad, during which they publicly broadcasted numerous atrocities.
Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein and the capital of Salahuddin province, has been under siege by coalition forces since March 2 in an effort to drive out Daesh.
