CAIRO (AP) — A leading international rights group has released a report documenting atrocities committed by Libya's Islamic State affiliate in the coastal city of Sirte, a militant stronghold.

Human Rights Watch recounts "scenes of horror" described by witnesses. The atrocities date back to Feb. 2015 and include beheadings of dozens of residents accused by the militants of being spies, instances of "crucifixions" and floggings of men for acts such as smoking or listening to music.

The report was released on Wednesday.

Letta Tayler, a senior terrorism and counterterrorism researcher at HRW, says that while the world's attention is focused on Syria and Iraq, IS has been "getting away with murder in Libya."

IS found a foothold in Libya amid the chaos engulfing the country, which is torn between rival governments and militias.