(VOVworld) - The Islamic State executed 40 people in its last major Iraqi stronghold of Mosul on Sunday.

IS executes 40 people in Iraq's Mosul (Source: VNA)

The victims were executed over charges of conspiring against the group's rule in Mosul, helping people to flee the city, or being former members of Iraq’s security forces, according to head of the security committee of Nineveh's provincial council, Mohammed al-Baiyati. The executions have come as the Iraqi army and Kurdish security forces fight to recapture positions around Mosul amid a major offensive to liberate the whole city.