ISIS used 550 civilian families as human shields in Mosul.

ISIS has taken 550 families from villages surrounding Mosul hostage to use as human shields against the Iraqi army's campaign to liberate the city.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: “We express deep concern about IS using civilians in the city and surrounding areas as human shields as Iraqi security forces make progress in liberating the city.”

Iraqi troops shell an ISIS position in Mosul. Photo: Reuters

ISIS is implementing a plan to prevent civilians from evacuating to areas controlled by Iraqi security forces. We are also verifying information that at least 40 civilians have been killed by ISIS recently.”

Kurdish and Iraqi security forces, with air and ground support from the US-led international coalition, are pursuing a campaign to control areas around Mosul, aiming to launch an offensive against the last key ISIS stronghold in Iraq.

The United Nations affirmed that Iraq must also respect international law when conducting its operations, particularly with regard to civilians living near areas controlled by IS.

According to statements from Iraqi military generals, government forces have captured eight villages south and southeast of Mosul. Kurdish forces, conducting operations from the north and east, have also seized several villages. The campaign to retake Mosul, which began earlier this week, is expected to be the largest battle in Iraq since 2003.

According to VOV