Human Rights Watch has accused Iraqi Shia militias of carrying out revenge attacks against Sunnis after a double suicide bombing by the Islamic State group at a cafe frequented by militiamen.
In a report issued Sunday, the New York-based group accuses two prominent Iran-backed Shia militias, the Badr Brigades and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, of carrying out the Jan. 11 retaliation attacks in the town of Muqdadiyah, northeast of Baghdad in the mixed Diyala province.
Citing unnamed residents, HRW says the militiamen killed at least a dozen people and demolished Sunni mosques, homes and shops. It describes the attacks as "heinous" and calls for the prosecution of those responsible.
Spokesmen for the militias, who have denied previous accusations of wrongdoing, could not immediately be reached for comment.
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