Civilians Being Used as Human Shields by ISIS in Fallujah Clashes

Around 50,000 civilians are still trapped inside the city of Fallujah, while clashes between IS and Iraq rage.

In the week-long offensive by the Iraqi army in Islamic State (or ISIS) occupied Fallujah, the ISIS is reportedly holding several hundred families as ‘human shields’ in the city, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees stated.

ISIS fighters launched a fierce counter attack on the Iraqi forces, and apparently grouped all civilians together into one neighbourhood, for use as human shields.

Around 50,000 civilians are still trapped inside the city of Fallujah, as Iraqi forces backed by the US-led coalition tried to displace the militants from Fallujah, which is the last major Islamic State occupied city in western Iraq.

“There are reports of several hundred families being used as human shields by ISIL in the centre of Falluja.” -- @refugees

— Ariane Rummery (@arianerummery) May 31, 2016

Humanitarian groups have been calling for a safe passageway to be made for the exit of the civilians, which would require the Iraqi authorities and Islamic State militants to agree on cessation of hostilities and could be used by the militants to escape by merging in as civilians.

Around 3,700 civilians have fled from the city in the past week, ever since the fighting started.

We’re working with partners to get emergency relief items to families escaping #Falluja https://t.co/QSEGVOdzLa pic.twitter.com/ITupxR2CdD

— UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) May 31, 2016

Around 106 militants have been killed since 31 May, according to the forces.

(With inputs from AP)