More than 100,000 civilians captured by IS as 'human shields' in Mosul

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

Many Iraqi families have had to evacuate. Photo: CNN

According to Bruno Geddo, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Iraq, IS has captured civilians from battlefields outside Mosul and forced them into the old city. "These civilians are basically being used as human shields in the old city," he asserted. With virtually no food, electricity, or water, people in the area "are living in a state of destitution and panic that is getting worse and worse." Mr. Geddo said snipers would shoot dead anyone who tried to flee the rebel-controlled area, stressing that the lucky few who escaped "are all seriously injured."

Geddo said the UN has so far assisted more than 500,000 people displaced by the war and is working to help those returning to Mosul. An estimated 862,000 people have been displaced since the battle to retake Mosul began nine months ago.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)