Shebek families threatened by the Al-Qaeda linked "Islamic State in Iraq and Damascus" organization have begun deserting Mosul.
Four Shebeks were killed in the past two days in Mosul, Mosul security officials said.
Security officials said Shebeks were threatened by the notices distributed in Shebek-dominated regions, and claimed that the notices said, "We, as the Islamic State in Iraq and Damascus organization, will kill the Rafizi's (Shi'a) to revenge our fellow Sunnite brothers and sisters killed in Diyala and Baghdad. You have three days to leave Nineveh."
Kusey Abbas, former council member and Shebek representative, said the threats have reached serious levels and added, "the Islamic State in Iraq and Damascus organization forced Shebeks to migrate. 300 Shebek families left Mosul since August 16."
Salim Hidir, Chairman of the Shebek Council, said terrorist groups killed 15 people during July and August, with 1,239 Shebeks having been killed since the toppling of the Ba'ath regime.
"If the Iraqi government doesn't protect the Shebeks and the situation worsens, we will take up arms to provide our own security. We are aware that arming will damage the security and stability of Mosul," Hidir said.
Following the recent killings, Mosul Governor Atheel Nujaifi held a meeting with Sehebek council members, security forces and representatives of ethnic minorities and stated, "The threat on Shebeks is a call of calamity. It is a crime violationg human rights. Every individual has the right to live in a secure environment."
Nujaifi also called on opinion leaders to prevent the killings while announcing that the government would provide support for Shebek families.
Shebeks are a Shi'ite group with a population of 400 thousand. They live in the Iraqi province of Mosul and the surrounding villages.
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