Thousands of Sunni residents of Tikrit have fled the ISIS-held city in fear of Iraqi regime forces and Shia militias . Locals have been living under the terror group 's oppression for months - but they fear the Shia troops even more . The militants are also targeting Shiite mosques across Iraq, which is seen as a sign that their goal is to establish an Islamic state on its territory. Now the Sunni locals are cutting up white clothes and fabric to make flags of surrender in fear of their lives .
Thousands of Sunni residents of Tikrit have fled the ISIS-held city in fear of Iraqi regime forces and Shia militias . Locals have been living under the terror group 's oppression for months - but they fear the Shia troops even more . Although the Iran-backed Shia volunteers aim to liberate Tikrit , they are accused of ISIS-style atrocities themselves . Now the Sunni locals are cutting up white clothes and fabric to make flags of surrender in fear of their lives .