Militants from the Islamic State jihadist group arrested seven women in northeast Syria on suspicion of spying for the US-led coalition and publicly flogged them, local news site ARA News reported on Friday, citing activists.
The women were flogged before a large crowd in the IS stronghold of Raqqa after being held for allegedly leaking security information on the group’s movements in the city to the US-led coalition, the report said.
The women were among more than 10 people arrested by IS's al-Hisbah police force during raids on several houses in Raqqa, ARA News said.
“Among those arrested were seven women, who were flogged in front of hundreds of people in central Raqqa on Thursday evening," local media activist Aiman al-Issawi was quoted as telling ARA News.
"The Sharia Court accused them of cooperating with the US-led coalition and rival groups,” he added.
“At least four other civilians were detained by IS militants, but the group has not yet revealed what their charges were,” al-Issawi said.
IS has recently arrested and beheaded dozens of civilians who allegedly collaborated with coalition forces against IS, according to ARA News.
