Over 100,000 civilians were captured by IS and used as 'human shields' in Mosul.

(Baonghean.vn) - On June 16, the United Nations (UN) stated that the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist group may be using more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians as "human shields" in the ancient city of Mosul.

Many Iraqi families have been forced to evacuate. Photo: CNN

According to Bruno Geddo, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Iraq, ISIS has been capturing civilians on battlefields outside Mosul and forcing them into the Old City. He stated: "These civilians are essentially being used as human shields in the Old City (of Mosul)." With virtually no food, electricity, or water, people in the area "are living in increasingly dire conditions and panic." Geddo said snipers would shoot anyone attempting to flee the militant-controlled area, and emphasized that the few who managed to escape were "severely injured."

Mr. Geddo also stated that the UN has so far assisted more than 500,000 people who have been forced to leave the area due to the war and is working to help those returning to Mosul. Since the battle to retake Mosul began nine months ago, an estimated 862,000 people have been displaced.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)