Reports Say Islamic State Has Begun to Execute Foreign Fighters

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is backed by the international coalition say they have intelligence information that the Islamic State has begun to execute some of its foreign fighters. The intelligence sources say the local gunmen do not trust the foreign fighters and accuse them of spying for the SDF. The reports come as the SDF is closing in on the group’s stronghold of Raqqa in Syria and controls all of the roads leading into the city. An estimated 27,000 to 31,000 foreign fighters traveled to Syria to fight for Islamic State, but about 20 percent have since gone home. They come from dozens of countries including Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as about 6000 from Europe. Analysts said it is a sign that Islamic State feels under growing pressure in Syria.