ISIS could easily use civilians as human shields in the city of Mosul.

According to AFP, in a move confirming the United Nations' concerns, witnesses said on November 2 that the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) group is gathering people in and around Mosul, potentially to use them as human shields to prevent the advance of Iraqi forces.

Iraqi civilians flee areas controlled by ISIS near Qayara, south of Mosul, on November 1. (Source: AP/VNA)

Abu Yunes, a resident of eastern Mosul, said that ISIS militants had been gathering people, especially young people, in schools in the area, but most people refused to comply for fear that ISIS would use them as human shields.

Meanwhile, Abu Mohammed, a resident of western Mosul, said that IS had rounded up many people from areas in southern Mosul and forced them to move toward the city.

According to Abu Mohammed, IS intended to blend in with these residents when security forces moved in and then flee.

IS seized large swathes of territory north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since recaptured many areas, with Mosul remaining the last Iraqi city under IS control.

Baghdad launched a large-scale operation to regain control of Mosul from ISIS more than two weeks ago, and Iraqi forces have now advanced to the eastern suburbs of the city.

According to Vietnam+