Islamic State (IS) militants have detained at least 70 people in a western Iraqi town in an effort to crush public dissent against the extremist group.
The move by the IS came after a rare street demonstration in Rutbah on August 29 against the militants, who control the town in Anbar Province.
Along with the detentions, dozens of others -- including local tribal leaders -- were reportedly tied to streetlight poles as punishment for allowing the protest to be held.
The demonstration by hundreds of people occurred after IS militants executed a local resident, Munir al-Kobeisi, who reportedly killed an IS gunmen.
Kobeisi's killing, the demonstration, and the subsequent crackdown on the protesters was confirmed by Eid Amash, a spokesman for Anbar's provincial government.
Residents of Rutbah are concerned that those detained by IS militants will be executed.
Meanwhile, Iraqi officials said a roadside bomb on August 29 had struck a border-guard convoy near the Trebil crossing on the Jordanian border, killing five Iraqi soldiers.
Officials added that two roadside bombs killed five others and injured 19 more at separate locations outside of Baghdad on August 29.