The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant fighters may be preparing to use civilians as human shields - or simply kill them - rather than let them be liberated in an Iraqi offensive to retake Mosul, according to the UN human rights chief.
Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said his office had reports that civilians were being held close to ISIL fighter positions in Mosul, possibly as a buffer against advancing Iraqi forces.
"There is a grave danger that ISIL fighters will not only use such vulnerable people as human shields, but may opt to kill them rather than see them liberated," Zeid said in a statement.
Separately, Zeid said his office had reports that ISIL fighters had forced an estimated 200 families to walk from the nearby Samalia village to Mosul last week.
Another 350 families were forced to Mosul from Najafia, according to the rights office.
Elite Iraqi troops have been closing in on Mosul, the last ISIL bastion in Iraq, in a long-anticipated offensive.
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