IS executed nearly 2,000 people in past six months

The Islamic State (IS) has killed 1,878 people in Syria over the past six months, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Sunday.

The terrorist organisation has largely targeted civilians in their attacks, with only 703 of those killed being oppositional forces.

IS executed 502 Syrian soldiers and 81 insurgents, as well as 120 of their own members. According to the observatory, most of those killed were foreigners who wished to flee the organisation.

Observatory head Rami Abdulrahman reported that 116 of the militants killed were executed in the Syrian provinces of Deir Al-Zor, Raqqa and Hassakeh in the past two months. Four IS members were executed for other reasons.

Hundreds of IS militants are being held captive by the Kurds in Sulaymaniyah, and face prison or even death for their crimes against religious minorities.

An anonymous security official explained that it is easy for IS to recruit young Muslim men as members.

"Understand that most are young and have no information," he told Fox News. "They are impressionable. They listen to the second-life paradise story, 72 virgins, rivers of wine, and [staying] young forever. That is all they know. Some regret their actions, some do not."

Of the 1,175 civilians killed, eight were women and four were children. Abdulrahman said that 930 of the civilians were members of the al-Sheitaat tribe of eastern Syria.

The Sunni Muslims battled IS this summer for control of two oilfields. About 700 tribe members were reported dead in just two weeks.

The observatory's figures only account for deaths in Syria at the hands of IS. Thousands more have been killed in Iraq by the Muslim extremists.

The terrorist group, led by Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, has increased in power substantially since the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in December 2011.

IS controls the Iraqi cities of Mosul, Baiji, and Fallujah, as well as parts of Syria. The group has posted photos and videos showing Iraqi policeman and civilians being slaughtered, and several videos of American and British journalists being executed.

News
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds

People who regularly attend church are more likely to report happy marriages, according to a new report examining the relationship between faith and family life.

Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk
Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk

Churches in Dhamtari, a town in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, have put up notices warning non-Christians that they enter at their own risk, weeks after a law against religious conversion came into force in the state.

£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes
£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes

Churches across the UK are being offered bursaries to help them establish mentoring programmes aimed at supporting young people and others in their communities.

World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary
World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has held an online celebration to mark its 180th anniversary. Hundreds of people from more than 22 countries attended, and the event was rebroadcast to accommodate different time zones.