LEEDS — An investigation into the alleged violations of human rights reportedly committed by the Iraqi government troops and pro-government units against the captured Islamic State (IS) militants is underway after the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, ordered a special committee to look into the case on Monday.

A statement by PM Abadi's office was released on Monday stating that the head of the government has ordered a specially formed committee to investigate the cases of kidnapping, mistreatment and violations in some areas of Nineveh province against civilians and IS militants by groups exploiting the name of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the government-backed Shi'ite militia known as Hashd al-Shaabi. 

The statement by the Iraqi PM comes as a response to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), who urged the Iraqi government to start an investigation into the reported case of unjustified violence. UNAMI called on the Iraqi authorities to take actions after a video showing the committed violations was leaked on social media to "spoil the joy of victory and to defame the real image of the brave security forces and their sacrifices to liberate the land and to maintain security," the Abadi statement read. 

The brutal mistreatment and murder of at least three men who are believed to have been fighting alongside IS were reported by UNAMI to have been conducted by the ISF, however no information can be confirmed at this point. 

The conducted violations have taken place in the newly liberated areas in eastern Mosul, as ISF backed by the US-led coalition continue to advance against the IS militants in Iraq's once second largest city.