Isis in Iraq: Roughly 3,500 held in slavery according to UN

An estimated 3,500 people, mainly women and children, are believed to be held as slaves in Iraq by Islamic State (Isis) militants who impose a harsh rule marked by gruesome public executions, the United Nations said on 19 January. The militant group, which also controls large parts of neighbouring Syria, is also responsible for over 18,000 deaths in Iraq since January 2014, according to the report. But despite the high numbers the true figures are likely to be much higher, according to a UNHCR spokesperson. Jan 19, 2016