Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage Iraq Army Uses Execution to Keep Discipline, Group Says
Fri April 4, 2003 07:59 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iraqi military commanders are using executions and beatings to maintain discipline among their troops in northern Iraq where food rations are running out, a leading U.S.-based human rights group said on Friday.
Human Rights Watch said Iraqi soldiers who have deserted to Kurdish forces in the north told its representatives that the Iraqi military executed 10 deserters on March 26 and has organized execution squads to prevent others from leaving their posts.