So-called “Islamic State” terror group have taken some 550 families from villages around Mosul, and are thought to be holding them as ‘human shields’ close to terrorist locations in the strategic Iraqi city, a spokeswoman for the UN human rights office said.

According to “corroborated information,” UN spokeswoman for human rights office Ravina Shamdasani said investigating reports that Islamic State (IS, also Known as ISIS, ISIL, and Daesh) terrorists had killed 40 civilians in one village, Reuters reported.

Earlier this week, the many sources like western officials also un agencies like International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned ISIS may conduct chemical attacks and use Mosul Civilians as human shields.

According to Thomas Weiss IOM chief in Iraq, ISIS Plan to forcibly expelled thousands of people and locate them in fighting lines toward Iraqi Joint forces as human shields.

The Iraqi battle for retaking Mosul started on Sunday. Mosul Liberation operation may last weeks or even months.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Thursday that the battle for Mosul is decisive both militarily and ideologically because it’s about “stabbing Islamic State in its very heart,” RT reports.

12